Report: 20,000 hospital beds needed in Ireland by 2020

Dublin- An independent report has said 20,000 acute hospital beds are needed across the country.The report by the HSE's external consultants PA has said the beds are needed by 2020.
The HSE gave this report to trade union leaders yesterday, after the external consultant firm PA, found that an additional 20,000 beds are needed over the next 12 years, if the current model of health care here continues.
That is a 40% increase on the current number of acute beds.The cost of this is estimated to be in the region of €4bn.The HSE has said this figure equates to opening a new hospital similar to the size of Tallaght Hospital in Dublin every year for the next 12 years.It is recommending a new model of care which would involve more emphasis on community services and a move away from what it calls our over-reliance on acute hospital care.