ALMOST 600 public beds are expected to be closed in community nursing units this year, under health spending plans announced today.
The HSE is to set out where savings of more than €700 million are to be made in 2012. Minister for Health James Reilly approved a reworked service plan for the HSE late on Friday night. He had previously rejected a draft drawn up by the HSE just after Christmas. The approved service plan is due to be put before the Oireachtas early today and then published.
Minister of State for Health Kathleen Lynch yesterday confirmed that the 555 bed closures contained in the draft service plan presented before Christmas would not change in the updated plan.
Ms Lynch, who has responsibility for disability, mental health and older people, indicated the part of the plan relating to her area of responsibility did not look as bleak as it had before Christmas. “There is an improvement in what was expected in relation to disability and older people, and €35 million in relation to mental health posts has been ring-fenced.”
There is also understood to be additional ring-fenced funding under the new plan for primary and community care services, which are overseen by Minister Róisín Shortall.
The plan has also been changed in relation to hospital services: Dr Reilly had argued he did not want to see a 5 per cent cut in funding translate into a 5 per cent cut in hospital activity – a move that would have affected thousands of patients.
Instead there will be greater emphasis on efficiencies. In a statement on Friday night Dr Reilly said: “I am pleased that the approach taken in developing this year’s service plan means that the reduction in funding levels has not translated into an equivalent drop in the level of service activity.
“It also reflects Government priorities in areas such as primary care, mental health and children. My intention now is to accelerate the reform of how health services are funded and delivered in order to achieve a more productive and cost-effective health system.”