C-sections more likely for private patients

Private female patients who give birth in acute public hospitals are more likely to undergo a caesarean section than those treated on a public basis, a study shows.

Last year 71,231 women gave birth in acute public hospitals here.

Normal (non-instrumental) deliveries accounted for almost 60% of total deliveries with 27% of babies overall being delivered by caesarean section.

While a quarter of public patients had a caesarean, this figure rose to 36% for private patients, according to the health research and information division of the ESRI.

A report published today also reveals a rise in day patients treated at the 57 acute public hospitals that participated in last year’s hospital in-patient enquiry scheme.

More than 1.47m discharges were reported by the hospitals compared to 1.45m discharges in 2010 — an increase of 1.6%.

Day patients accounted for 60% of total discharges in 2011, an increase of 3% since 2010, and compares with 55% of total discharges in 2007. In-patients used just over 3.46m bed days in 2011, a drop of 3% on 2010.

Almost one third of total discharges were aged 65 years and older, an increase of 1.5% between 2010 and 2011 and an average annual increase of 5% between 2007 and 2011. Medical card holders accounted for 53% of total discharges.

Nationally, acute in-patient average length of stay was 4.3 days in 2011. Acute in-patient average length of stay ranged from four days in the HSE South area to 4.6 days in the HSE Dublin North East area.