Hospital overcrowding: Integrated Care the sustainable solution

The financing of care has to change, writes Dr Tom O’Connor

This week saw the numbers of patients on hospital trolleys exceeding 612 for the first time ever. The crisis has now reached breaking-point. The blame game continues between the health minister and the HSE.

At 2.6 beds for 1,000 of the population, Ireland has the second lowest number of hospital beds in the OECD after Sweden. Germany, and Austria are highest with eight. Within the EU 27, the average is about five, so Ireland is half this figure. Even allowing for designated rehabilitation beds somewhat inflating the figures in other countries, Ireland still has a low number of hospital beds internationally.