“Doctors Warn: Health Budgets Must Match Growing Demand”

As the population becomes older and larger, physicians insist that healthcare budgets must consistently rise to meet the increasing need. The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) gave its approval to the health minister, Stephen Donnelly’s proposal on Thursday to install an extra 3,438 beds by 2031. But, the group suggested even more beds would be necessary.

The chairman of the consultant committee of the IMO, Prof Matthew Sadlier, described the announcement as an important step in the right direction. He emphasised that it was crucial to fully fulfil and timely implement the commitment of adding new beds. There’s an urgency for the government to acquire planning permissions, initiate the required construction projects and begin the process of recruiting medical and other staff so that the new beds are utilised effectively, he added.

Prof Sadlier further said, “The shortfall of 5,000 beds in the public hospital system needs to be addressed through a larger programme”. He pointed out that while the IMO understood the scale of investment necessary, the truth remained that Ireland was dealing with an ageing and growing population with improving medical care and results. “To provide top-notch care to patients nationwide, it’s necessary to regularly increase budgets to meet the growing demand,” he added.

Moreover, Prof Sadlier noted that the new beds announced were meant for acute, maternity and children’s services excluding psychiatric services. He mentioned that a comparable bed shortage existed in this area with no plans for additional beds.

Written by Ireland.la Staff

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