RCS: Protected beds the answer to waiting lists

Irish surgeons say the key to cutting hospital waiting lists is the provision of protected beds for elective surgery.

The recommendation comes in a report on the future of surgery in Ireland, published today by the Royal College of Surgeons.

The report also says there will be a need for a 135% increase in consultant manpower over the next 10 years.

There are about 30,000 people currently on waiting lists but the president of the Royal College of Surgeons, Michael Butler, believes the provision of 60 protected beds in some of the major hospitals would dramatically reduce waiting lists and possibly even eliminate them within two to three years.