HSE: More than 1,000 hospital beds are closed

MORE than 1,000 hospital beds are closed in facilities across the country and a further 630 are unavailable to patients due to delayed discharges of treated people.

The latest figures released by the HSE show that the significant blockage is apparent in the hospital system, escalating difficulties already apparent for both patients and staff.

According to the statistics, complete up to the end of August, a total of 1,044 beds were closed for a variety of health service reasons, which include ward closures, service changes and infection outbreaks.

Of this figure, 818 bed closures were either planned or took place for seasonal purposes relating to the number of patients likely to enter a hospital in a given period.

In the two-month period since the end of the latest period examined by the unavailable beds count, hospital services at Navan General have also been affected due to patient safety claims.

In addition, while the HSE figures state that 1,044 beds were closed during the timeframe examined, a recent estimate from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has suggested the total closure rate for the same period was at least 300 beds higher.

The HSE’s own figures show that while delayed discharge numbers are down on this time last year, bed closures are on the rise, with 862 closed in June and 966 were made unavailable to patients in July.

However, the bed closures issue is not a new phenomenon, with concerns being raised at the start of this year over the impact the blockage is having on both patients and staff in the hospital system.

Earlier this year Fine Gael health spokesperson, Dr James Reilly, warned that the level of bed closures was equivalent to three small hospitals being unavailable to patients. He added that the situation was costing the taxpayer millions of euro every month.

According to the INMO, beds which have been closed in Irish hospitals this year to date include:

- 31 surgical ward beds, six male surgical beds and six paediatric surgical beds at Mercy University Hospital (MUH) in Cork city.

- 27 surgical beds and 25 general beds at Ennis General in Co Clare.

- 62 beds at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin city.

- 56 beds and a high care unit at Monaghan General.

- 66 beds at Sligo General.

- 14 gynaecological and a 25-bed ward closed at Wexford General.