Written answers

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Accommodation

9:00 am

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the closure of 52 beds in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [19996/10]

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the impact the closure of 52 beds in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, will have on patient care; the consequences that this will have for her and the Health Service Executive plans to move from inpatient to day case treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20234/10]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together.

I have been assured that Beaumont Hospital will meet its service plan targets for 2010. These involve treating the same number of patients this year as last but with less reliance on in-patient stays. In turn this will involve reducing inappropriate hospital admissions, more same day of surgery admissions, more day care cases, earlier discharges and reductions in waiting times for elective surgery.

The planned changes announced by Beaumont are designed to allow it deliver its service plan targets while remaining within budget. For example, the increase in day case activity and the reduction in beds occupied by long-stay patients means the hospital can treat the same number of patients as previously with less in-patient beds. Beaumont has also assured my Department that neurosurgery, transplantation and cancer services will not be affected by the changes.

Treating people in more efficient and effective ways like this, with no reduction in access to appropriate services, is obviously the right thing to do given the very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer. However, it is also the right thing for patients – people want to access quality care as quickly as possible and be allowed go home as soon as possible. It is also the way health services around the world are moving.

There are constant calls inside and outside this House for a more efficient public service, changes in work practices and greater productivity. Despite this, we still hear opposition to such changes with the focus being put instead on issues like the number of in-patient beds rather than the number of patients being treated, and the achievement of best outcomes for patients.

Reforming the way services are provided, reducing costs and maintaining a clear focus on patient safety will allow us to treat people in more effective ways and protect access to appropriate services. I want to make it clear to this House that the implementation by Beaumont Hospital, and other hospitals, of this type of patient-centred reform will have my full support.

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