Dublin hospitals to close 250 beds over funding

Dublin's main teaching hospitals confirmed today they will close at least 250 beds over the coming months as part of a cost cutting drive.

The hospitals estimate the move will reduce patient admissions in the Dublin area by 14,000 annually.

Cost cutting measures have also been put in place to counteract what they describe as the "real impact of medical inflation of 10 per cent."

The Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals (DATHs) affected will include Beaumont, Tallaght, St Vincent's, St James's and the Mater.

The measures are, according to hospitals, due to the Eastern Regional Health Association's (ERHA) refusal to provide the 8-10 per cent increase in hospital funding that had been provided for in the estimates for 2003.

A statement released by DATHs this afternoon acknowledges the substantial increase in Government funding for the Health service but argues that it should be considered in relation to rising costs in the medical sector in general.

In it's response to the statement The Eastern Regional Health Board claimed that of "an additional €140million of its new funds this year," the DATHs received €67 million or 48% of the funding.

In total according to the ERHA: "The DATHs represent 30 per cent of our total expenditure."

Short term cost reductions planned include the "non-renewal of temporary contracts" and the "non-replacement of vacant positions and/or the deferral of recruitment."

SIPTU today called on the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, to attend a meeting "at the earliest possible date" to discuss bed closures.

SIPTU spokesman Mr Paul Bell said the announcement is coming "two years too late. At a time when every other country is on high alert because of the threat of SARS, the Irish public are waking up to news of bed closures and cancellations for surgery and medical procedures".Mr Bells added: "The employment status of various categories of non-nursing staff is now questionable". The statement from the five CEOs is expected to say that activity levels will have to fall as the hospitals' funding this year does not cover the cost of inflation. Consequently 14,000 fewer medical procedures will be carried out this year.The reduction is at odds with commitments from the Department of Health to maintain service activity at 2002 levels.

Labour spokesperson on health Ms Liz McManus has called for the resignation of Mr Martin, in light of this and other issues.