Changes must take finances into account

Changes in the way small hospitals work within the newly configured group system must take account of the difficult financial circumstances, it has emerged.

The report — Securing the Future of Smaller Hospitals: a Framework for Development — says changes that could be achieved without extra cost would be prioritised.

Where extra costs cannot be avoided, they will be quantified and an approach to dealing with them identified, such as achieving savings elsewhere. It says changes that can be achieved without extra cost can occur where staff transfer to a hospital together with the corresponding budget.

“Our priority will be to increase the number of patients treated in smaller hospitals, but this may be done in a number of ways, including with reduced budgets, for example, by reducing staff cover at less busy times for elective work such as nights and weekends.”

The role of smaller hospitals would be expanded to include day surgery, medical services and diagnostics.

The report says it is vital to link the role of smaller hospitals closely with primary care. “They should be seen as the logical extension of primary care where they have huge potential to enable GPs and primary care teams to support patients within their community.”

James Reilly, the health minister, said the groups would secure the future of smaller hospitals.