Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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121. To ask the Minister for Health the reason no comprehensive theatre modelling exercise or review has been completed by the HSE; the details of the project which has commenced to allow regular tracking of hospital reported unused theatre sessions in acute hospitals; the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11887/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has advised that a project has commenced to allow regular tracking of hospital reported unused theatre sessions in acute hospitals and reasons for same. The information gathered includes number of theatres, minor surgery rooms and endoscopy rooms managed by theatre services in the acute hospitals, and information on scheduled sessions. This initiative is at test phase only at this time.

More generally, as the Deputy is aware my Department has commenced a capacity review in line with the Programme for Government commitment. The intention is that this review will be broader than previous exercises that focused solely on acute bed capacity. While the exact parameters of the review are still subject to considerations, I expect that it will seek to take into account, to some degree, other aspects of hospital capacity, including theatres.