Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views regarding the high occupancy levels in hospitals following her comments that high occupancy levels in hospitals do not affect cleanliness and hygiene; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35418/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The review of acute hospital bed capacity examined bed occupancy levels nationally and helped to inform the Government's decision in the health strategy to expand acute bed capacity by 3,000 in the period to 2011.

Responsibility for the management and delivery of health services is now a matter for the Health Service Executive. This includes responsibility for acute hospital services. The HSE has reported that the results of the national hygiene audit showed that the high occupancy levels did not in themselves mean poor hygiene standards. For example, of the top ten performing hospitals, seven had occupancy rates in excess of 85%, including five that were in excess of 90%. The results of the hygiene audit will form the basis for changes that are required both in work environments and work practices so as to meet the highest possible standards of cleanliness in hospital settings. The HSE is making an initial capital grant of €20 million available to hospitals to implement the recommendations of the audit.