Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 140: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of acute hospital beds in the State in January 2010; the number of same in January 2009; the number of public acute hospital beds; the number of private acute hospital beds; the projected number of same for January 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5856/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Acute bed numbers in public hospitals are counted as an average of beds available over each year, given that the number of beds available in each hospital can vary over any year for operational reasons. The number of acute beds in private hospitals at any time is not collected or verified by the Department of Health and Children or by the HSE, but data are provided by those hospitals themselves or by a representative association.

The national average number of acute hospital beds available in public hospitals in 2007, the latest year for which validated data has been compiled by the HSE, was 13,688. This includes both in patient beds and day places. An average of approximately 20% of these are categorised as private beds. In addition, there is private bed capacity in private hospitals.

My Department has requested the HSE to provide validated data on the national average number of acute hospital beds available in 2008 to the Deputy as soon as this becomes available.

In projecting forward to 2011, I am more concerned to see the most effective use of acute bed capacity for patient best care, through shortened lengths of stay and more day case activity, rather than projecting a particular number of beds. The quality of acute bed capacity, that is, the achievement of more single-occupancy rooms and a reduction of multi-bedded wards, is also an important consideration for better outcomes for patients.