Confusion over private hospital bed occupancy

Health Minister Simon Harris

The HSE has said that bed occupancy in the State’s 18 private hospitals stands at 46% as the clamour of voices continues to grow calling for the State’s short-term contract to take over those hospitals to be broken.

The executive said that figure may not take into account the fact that some hospitals “may currently be focusing more on outpatient and day-case work so overall activity should also be considered when analysing overall hospital activity”.