Early figures show increase in births in 2006

There has been a surge in the number of births recorded in Ireland this year, according to new provisional figures drawn up by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Figures for the first eight months of the year, presented to the board of the HSE in October, reveal that there were over 41,000 births. This represents a 5.9 per cent increase over the estimate of 38,800 for the period set out in the HSE's annual service for the year.

In a commentary for the board, the chief executive of the HSE Prof Brendan Drumm said that maternity services were continuing to show increased birth activity during the year.

"The Rotunda is currently 6 per cent ahead of in-patient activity levels at the same time last year, while the Coombe has experienced growth in the region of 7 per cent," the report stated.

A spokesman for the HSE said last night that based on Central Statistics Office projects, hospitals in the eastern region had forecast growth in the number of births this year.

The increase in the number of births comes at a time when the HSE is examining a report drawn up by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists which recommends changes in the configuration of maternity services around the country.

The report, revealed in The Irish Times several weeks ago, recommends that maternity hospitals should operate as part of new networks.

Meanwhile Prof Drumm also told the board of the HSE that the hospital sector in general has experienced strong demand and growth.

"Compared to last year, many hospitals have delivered increased growth in in-patient activity of between 3 and 5 per cent, with some hospitals, for example Tallaght, Mullingar, Navan and Roscommon, showing growth in excess of 10 per cent.

"Many hospitals have seen a decrease in their in-patient activity rates while continuing to move towards increased day case activity. There has been an 11.8 per cent increase in day case activity across hospitals to date when compared to 2005. However the rate of increase has slowed during the month of August," the report states.

Prof Drumm's report also shows that during August the HSE's targets for maximum waiting times in accident and emergency departments were achieved on only three occasions.

The HSE has said that no person should have to wait longer than 24 hours in an accident and emergency department for admission to a hospital bed.

"This target was achieved on only three days during August. For the rest of August, on average, there were four people waiting every day for more than 24 hours," the report states.

Emergency department attendances nationally have increased by approximately 3 per cent above the level for 2005, albeit with some significant regional variations.

"For example, compared to 2005, Ennis has had 6 per cent less attendances to date this year, while attendances at Tullamore have increased by almost 8 per cent," Prof Drumm told the board of the HSE in October.