Written answers

Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Department of Health

Hospital Beds Data

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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115. To ask the Minister for Health to set out the level of spare capacity in terms of acute beds in the private hospital system; if he has considered taking private hospitals into public ownership to address the crisis in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4510/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department has no remit in terms of the oversight of private hospitals, nor does the State have any legal right to take private hospitals into public ownership.

With regard to bed capacity in the private hospital system, in 2007, the PA Consulting Bed Capacity Review listed available bed capacity in private hospitals as 1,926. Recent unpublished reports would indicate that private capacity is approximately 2,100.

I recently met with the Private Hospitals Association to discuss how private hospitals can contribute to meeting urgent health priorities, including demand for emergency care and waiting list management. There is considerable experience of private hospitals assisting in addressing lengthy waiting times for scheduled care. Acknowledging the challenges in scheduled care provision, Budget 2017 makes specific provision for the treatment of longest-waiting patients. Funding of €20 m is being allocated to the NTPF in 2017, rising to €55 m in 2018 and I am aware that the NTPF has been engaging with private hospitals in this regard.

In addition, in response to significant pressures in EDs in the early New Year, the HSE introduced a series of enhanced measures under the Winter Initiative. One such measure has involved availing of additional capacity in certain private hospitals to support the public hospital system.

In December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5 m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. Around 3,000 daycases will be managed through this process and outsourcing of treatment will commence shortly. In addition to this day case initiative, the NTPF will be working closely with my Department and the HSE to agree an approach regarding utilisation of the remaining 2017 allocation.

During 2017 the HSE will continue to work with the NTPF and the Department to ensure the best use of public hospital capacity and the private hospital system to meet the needs of patients waiting for inpatient, daycase and outpatient services.

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