BUDGET 2018: Statement from Irish Hospital Consultants Association

10th October, 2017: Commenting on Budget 2018, President of the IHCA, Dr Tom Ryan, said:  “While the announced increases to the health budget are a step in the right direction, the reality is that there are huge shortages of beds and staff in our acute hospital and mental health services. What is in the budget is not sufficient to address these shortages, which are the root cause of patients being treated on trolleys and escalating waiting lists.’’

In addition, Dr Ryan said that the increase of €470 million in health capital funding over the 2018 to 2021 period must be assessed in the context that 1,400 in-patient beds have been closed in the past decade. He said the increased funding must be directed at replacing those beds and that additional capacity is needed to provide care to a population that has grown by 500,000 in the past decade, including the 35% increase in the cohort that is 65 years and over.

Dr Ryan continued: “It is essential that the planned increase of 1,800 health service staff are appointed to front line acute hospital and mental health services.”

ENDS

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James Dunny, FleishmanHillard

T: +353 86 388 3903 | E: james.dunny@fleishmaneurope.com