HSE accused of going back on 3,000 beds promise

HOSPITAL consultants have accused the Health Service Executive (HSE) of trying to weasel its way out of providing the state’s long-promised 3,000 extra acute public hospital beds by 2011.

A leaked HSE report warns that the exchequer faces a bill of more than €4 billion in providing new hospital beds unless drastic action is taken in providing primary and community care.

The report that will go before the Cabinet this week warns that without the investment in services to allow many more patients to be treated at home or in local facilities, 20,000 hospital beds will be needed by 2020. The estimate, based on healthcare trends, means that 8,500 additional beds, costing between €4,000 and €7,000 a week will be needed.

The report blames Ireland’s ageing population and increased longevity as the main factors contributing to the demand for more acute beds. It stresses, however, that investing in primary care is the more economic alternative and will also improve patient care.

HSE chief executive Professor Brendan Drumm has rejected calls for more hospital beds.

The HSE report warns that even with the new healthcare approach, 1,500 additional acute beds would be needed over the next three years. The Government plans to deliver most of these by co-location.

Assistant general secretary of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association Donal Duffy said it appeared that the HSE was now trying to avoid meeting the commitment in the 2001 Health Strategy to the provision of 3,000 beds.

“We are nowhere near meeting that target,” said Mr Duffy.

“The fact that these hospital beds costs extra money is no shock. It seems the HSE is gearing up to avoid the commitment made in the Health Strategy.” Mr Duffy warned that the chaos created by the lack of beds would continue if more beds were not provided.

“Primary care is no substitute for hospital care. The two systems complement each other,” he said.

The Irish Medical Organisation has claimed that Ireland has less than three beds per thousand of the population — one of the lowest per capita in the developed world.

A spokesperson for the HSE refused to comment on the leaked report.

“The official report has not been published yet and we will not be commenting on it until it is,” the spokesperson said.