Written answers
Thursday, 17 January 2019
Department of Health
Hospital Beds Data
Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
157. To ask the Minister for Health the type and location of the extra beds added to the health service in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2133/19]
Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
158. To ask the Minister for Health the type and location of beds he plans to open during the course of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2134/19]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in the years ahead.
Increasing capacity is therefore a priority for the Government. Over the past 12 months, an additional 240 beds have been opened as outlined in the following table:
| Hospital Group | Hospital | Type of bed | Number of beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCSI | Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda | Acute beds (part of new bed block) | 25 |
| RCSI | Beaumont Hospital | Acute beds | 20 |
| Dublin Midlands | St James’ Hospital | Acute beds | 23 |
| Dublin Midlands | Naas General Hospital | Acute beds | 11 |
| Ireland East | The Mater Hospital | Acute beds | 24 |
| Saolta | Galway University Hospital | Acute beds | 28 |
| UL | Limerick University Hospital | Short Stay beds | 17 |
| Ireland East HG | St Vincent’s Hospital | Acute beds | 22 |
| Ireland East HG | Mater Misericordiae University Hospital | HDU beds | 2 |
| Ireland East HG | St Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny | Acute beds | 14 |
| RCSI HG | Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda | Acute beds (part of new ward block) | 4 |
| South South West HG | Cork University Hospital | Acute beds | 30 |
| South South West HG | Cork university hospital | Critical Care beds | 2 |
| South South West HG | Waterford University Hospital | Acute beds | 17 |
| Ireland East | The Mater Hospital | ICU bed | 1 |
| Total | 240 |
The HSE's National Service Plan for 2019 provides for a comprehensive capacity programme for 2019. The main elements of the programme are:
- 78 additional beds are scheduled to come on stream by the end of Quarter 1 of 2019, including the 40 bed modular build in South Tipperary General Hospital and the 30-bedded ward in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda;
- 75 acute beds and 70 community beds are scheduled to come on stream during 2019, as part of the Winter Plan 2018/19;
- Preparation of 202 beds, of which 16 are critical care, during 2019, with a view to bringing this extra capacity into operation in the first quarter of 2020.
In relation to the specific information sought on the location and type of beds planned for 2019, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
No comments