Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the recent urgent calls for ICU beds in St. James; the number of major operations postponed due to lack of ICU bed availability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12075/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department is advised by the Health Service Executive that the recent pressures at St James's Hospital are being addressed following discussion with the management of the hospital on the issue of critical care capacity. This will result in the creation of additional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Bed capacity at the hospital.

It should be noted that there has been an overall increase in bed numbers in St James's of 140 in the period 2000-2006 and that ICU capacity at St James's Hospital has been increased over the past three years from 9 to 14 beds.

The HSE has advised that when procedures requiring post-operative critical care accommodation are postponed to cater for emergency admissions, the procedures are rescheduled as soon as possible.

The HSE is conducting a national review of acute bed capacity at present which will include an assessment of future critical care requirements. The HSE has also included a commitment in its 2007 Service Plan to review future critical care requirements beyond the issue of bed capacity, to ensure that service is developed in line with international best practice. A multi-disciplinary project group is being established to facilitate this review.

In relation to the specific issue of the number of major operations postponed, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.