Response to Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service and Department of Health report

Comment by President of Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA), Professor Rob Landers on Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service and Department of Health report:

“We welcome the publication today of this report which we will study closely. We acknowledge comments this afternoon from the Minister for Health that hospital consultants are “getting less time with patients which is not their fault”. 

“Our population has increased by 1.15 million people over the past 20 years. For the same period, we have an additional four senior and middle managers for every additional hospital bed and additional hospital consultant. 

“The ESRI estimates our public acute hospitals need 1,000 new beds immediately and 330 new beds annually just to keep up with demand. Data shows we have been averaging 53 new beds a year (see note one). Meanwhile, latest numbers show 890,000 people are on some form of a waiting list.  

“Consultants are working tirelessly every day in a disjointed system which is impacting the patient experience. In the public system, with half the recommended number of operating theatres in place, Consultants are having to wait to get access to limited theatre time and other basic resources needed to diagnose and treat their patients. If Consultants are waiting, patients are waiting. 

“We welcome any analysis which serves to bring scrutiny to the ongoing capacity deficits being experienced in our health service. We continue to encourage those charged with developing and administering health policy to collaborate constructively. It is regrettable that this did not allow for input into the recently established government productivity taskforce, something which can be easily rectified.” 

ENDS 

Note one

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