Written answers

Wednesday, 11 May 2005

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Accommodation

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of hospital beds available in 1990; the number available now; if the position reflects needs created by increased population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15711/05]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Publicly Funded Acute Hospitals In-Patient Beds and Day Places 1990 and 2004
Type of Bed 1990 2004
In-Patient 11,868 12,329
Day 284 1,080
Total 12,152 13,409
Source: 1990 — Health Statistics Report 1990, Department of Health — Bed Complement
Source: 2004 — Integrated Management Returns, Department of Health and Children — Average no. of beds in use (provisional figures)

The increase in acute hospital capacity has come about through investment in new facilities, the bed capacity initiative and the opening of new units in acute hospitals throughout the country.

The increase in day places reflects the changes in medical and surgical practices which allows for treatment without the necessity to stay in hospital overnight.

Activity levels in our acute hospitals continue to rise. We are now treating over 1 million patients as either inpatients or day cases.

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