Investment leads to drastically different productivity changes across hospitals
The Department of Health has launched a new dashboard which examines productivity improvements compared to increases in expenditure and staffing.
Advertisement
Officials have designed a 'composite activity output' which is a high-level illustration of aggregated, cumulative activity in each hospital setting and is based on the costs of delivering inpatient, day case, outpatient and emergency department care.
It can be used to distil years-long increases in productivity across different types of care into a single figure to allow for comparisons against workforce and expenditure increases.
Officials said it showed that some hospitals are 'notably better' at converting their input into activity, adding that they wish to determine the reasons for that.
The data shows that UHL was the hospital with the most productivity change between 2019 and 2024, at up 36 per cent – although the boost followed some of the highest levels of increased investment.
Advertisement
On roughly the same percentage workforce and expenditure increases as UHL, University Hospital Waterford was only able to translate that investment into a 17 per cent increase of productivity, less than half that of the top-performing hospital.
Still, UH Waterford was the fourth-highest performing hospital on metric of productivity increases, behind UHL, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, and Tallaght University Hospital.
The worst performing hospitals were St Vincent's University Hospital and St James' Hospital with roughly 3 per cent productivity increases, followed by MRH Portlaoise – on just 0.19 per cent.
This was with a 42 per cent increase in expenditure and 21 per cent increase in workforce.
Advertisement
While MRH Portlaoise was towards the lower end of the scale when it came to increases on expenditure and whole-time equivalents, it still under performed against other hospitals with similar support.
On even lower percentage increases on those metrics, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital vastly outperformed Portlaoise with a 13.51 per cent increase in productivity.
Elsewhere, the data also examines the number of appointments taken by consultants at hospitals across the country and compares that to a 2016 baseline.
Nationally, the appointment-per-consultant stood at 1,686 in 2016 but has declined to 1,216 in 2024 – despite the number of whole-time equivalent consultants increasing by 70 per cent in that period.
Advertisement
The Department of Health says it means that consultants across the country could have 40% more appointments last year if they had been operating at the same productivity in 2016.
The two worst performing hospitals under this metric are CHI at Tallaght and Croom Orthopedic Hospital.
CHI at Tallaght had 16,390 appointments last year but the Department estimates it could have 2.7 times as many based on 2016 levels of productivity.
The data also estimates that Croom could have more than tripled its 8,950 appointments last year by the same calculation.
Advertisement
MRH Portlaoise, CHI at Tallaght and Croom Orthopedic Hospital have been contacted for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Brave' doctor defies picket line to treat cancer patients after militant union BLOCKED tests as strike support plummets
THE militant BMA union refused a hospital's plea to allow a doctor to carry out potentially life saving cancer tests. But a hero doctor caught wind and crossed the picket line to help six men waiting for prostate biopsies. 6 6 Health Secretary Wes Streeting blasted the British Medical Association and praised the 'brave' doctor who broke ranks. Milton Keynes University Hospital trust was due to perform biopsies on the six men on Friday. But they faced cancellations after thousands of junior doctors, now called residents, walked out that morning in the long-running row over pay. The trust made a special patient safety request - a derogation - which allows striking doctors return to work if there is a risk to patient safety. The Sun on Sunday understands they were worried about the anxiety and mental health impact on the men who could face significant delays in finding out if they have cancer. Prostate cancer biopsies are also invasive and uncomfortable procedures. The request was signed off by NHS England but the BMA refused to bring anyone in because the request was based on anxiety rather than on clinical concerns, sources claimed. Fortunately, a resident doctor on the picket heard about the row and broke ranks to care for the men. And all six men had their biopsies that day as planned. Mr Streeting - who previously had kidney cancer - said it was 'completely unacceptable' for the BMA to dismiss the impact of a delayed diagnosis. He said: 'As someone who has been through it, I know all too well what a worrying time it can be while you are waiting to see if you will be diagnosed with cancer. NHS doctors strike again TODAY as they demand £600 a month pay hike in 'slap in face to taxpayers' 'Not knowing can be one of the most difficult periods. 'Patients concerned about whether they have cancer and their loved ones want the NHS to provide a diagnosis as quickly as possible. 'It is completely unacceptable for the BMA to dismiss the mental anguish a delayed diagnosis can have on people and families. 'I want to thank the brave resident doctor who broke the strike to ensure these men got the care they deserve.' Dr Victoria Alner, acting Chief Medical Officer at the trust, said: 'Thanks to our staff whose ongoing professionalism and support have enabled us to keep clinics running during the industrial action. 'Our priority is always to provide safe care, and we will continue to do our utmost to minimise disruption for patients.' This time round the NHS is trying to keep as many services as possible running. And the public is being urged to still come forward for care during the walkout. Mr Streeting said the government would "not let the BMA hold the country to ransom". 6 6 6 NHS England said hospitals are aiming to reschedule appointments cancelled due to strikes within two weeks. But Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England's co-national medical director, warned this could have a knock-on impact for other patients. 'Even two weeks is too long for somebody to wait and actually that has an impact on the people who are then displaced at that two week period," she told BBC Breakfast. She apologised to patients facing delays, adding: 'I know that is extremely distressing when that happens, and it can potentially lead to both physical and psychological harm. So I am sorry.' 'People will die' By Len Read IVF pioneer and Labour peer Robert Winston has slammed the doctors' strike and said 'inevitably' a patient will die. The medics, members of the BMA union, walked out on Friday and are not due back until Wednesday morning. Lord Winston, 85, quit the organisation after 61 years, mainly due to his disgust at the industrial action. The BMA wants resident doctors to get a 29 per cent pay rise on top of an average increase of 28.9 per cent over the past three years. Lord Winston fumed: 'If this lasts long, somebody will die. Inevitably they will. Several people are going to have much worse chances of getting cancers treated, and some will be in pain. 'You simply can't allow disruption of services on this scale.' Prof Pandit said three derogations were granted on Friday. Nottingham City Hospital reached an agreement to call a striking doc back from the picket line because babies' lives were at risk. Exemptions were agreed for two doctors to return to the Northern General Hospital. Another agreement was made for two anaesthetists to work at University Hospital Lewisham on Saturday. And one registrar radiologist to cover the acute service at King's College Hospital. The number of resident doctors who have joined picket lines is thought to be down by thousands compared to last year's strikes. Labour handed them the biggest pay award of any public sector service with an average increase of 28.9 per cent over three years. But public support has fallen for the latest round strikes. Despite this, resident doctors are demanding a further 29 per cent rise. A BMA spokesperson said: "This service was not suitable for a derogation as the BMA assessed there was no urgent clinical need. "NHS England was repeatedly warned that encouraging non-urgent elective care would lead to last-minute cancellations - with patients bearing the brunt. "Despite this, they chose to press ahead. We remain focused on ensuring a safe service continues." 6 Leader'srant over Charles'crowning Exclusive by Emily-Jane Heap THE militant union boss at the centre of the resident doctor walkouts has described the King's coronation as 'unnecessary'. British Medical Association leader Tom Dolphin accused the Government of wasting £250million on the May 2023 ceremony. On the day Mr Dolphin, 46, posted: 'A quarter of a billion pounds of public money for an unnecessary and brief ceremony, but they can't find funds for NHS staff.' Critics pointed out that NHS England received more than £3billion per week in funding. They also highlighted how the coronation brought £350million to the hospitality sector while the investiture cost taxpayers £72million. It comes after Dolphin was blasted over resurfaced Brexit comments. In 2019, the London-based consultant anaesthetist criticised Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith for calling Theresa May's request for a Brexit delay 'a national humiliation'. He said: 'This reminds me of the surveys on 'What do you fear most?' — where men say 'humiliation' and women say 'rape/assault'. It is high privilege to be able to conflate embarrassment with actual harm.' Another BMA figure, Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, once ran an IT firm called Spiteful Solutions, with one critic saying the name 'sounds very apt'.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
RFK Jr. looks to boot panel that decided which HIV and cancer screenings would be free: report
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly planning to remove all the members of an influential health task force that helps determine what preventative care services insurers must cover for free, after removing all members of a vaccine advisory board last month. Kennedy wants to clean house at U.S. Preventative Services Task Force next because he believes its 16 members have become too 'woke,' The Wall Street Journal reports. Under 2010's Affordable Care Act, the task force makes evidence-based, public recommendations on a variety of treatments, ranging HIV prevention to prenatal care to mental health, that insurers must cover at no cost to patients. Health and Human Services has said the secretary hasn't made a final decision regarding the task force. The Independent has contacted the agency for comment. Kennedy's reported dissatisfaction with the group comes after the American Conservative magazine accused the task force of being a 'festering corner of woke bureaucracy' in an article earlier this month. 'The task force is packed with Biden administration appointees devoted to the ideological capture of medicine,' the author argued, pointing to 'sinister' recent task force actions committing to removing racial inequities in health care and using more inclusive language around gender. Earlier this month, a July meeting of the task force was postponed. At the time, a letter from over 100 health organizations warned about the politicization of the task force's work. 'The loss of trustworthiness in the rigorous and nonpartisan work of the Task Force would devastate patients, hospital systems, and payers as misinformation creates barriers to accessing lifesaving and cost effective care,' the letter reads. 'When something works well and helps inform doctors about how to take care of their patients, to postpone the task force's work just doesn't make any sense,' Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association, told The New York Times after the meeting was postponed. 'This flies in the face of what is good for the country's health.' In June, the Supreme Court upheld the task force's ability to recommend free coverage for preventative services, in the face of a challenge from individuals and businesses objecting to the body's recommendation regarding HIV prevention medication. Concern over the fate of the task force comes after Kennedy removed all the members of a vaccine advisory board, replacing them with some members who share the secretary's vaccine skepticism.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Hero doctor crosses picket to treat 6 patients after striking union blocks cancer tests
THE militant BMA union refused a hospital's plea to allow a doctor to carry out potentially life saving cancer tests. But a hero doctor caught wind and crossed the picket line to help six men waiting for prostate biopsies. 6 6 6 Health Secretary Wes Streeting blasted the British Medical Association and praised the 'brave' doctor who broke ranks. Milton Keynes University Hospital trust was due to perform biopsies on the six men on Friday. But they faced cancellations after thousands of junior doctors, now called residents, walked out that morning in the long-running row over pay. The trust made a special patient safety request - a derogation - which allows striking doctors return to work if there is a risk to patient safety. The Sun on Sunday understands they were worried about the anxiety and mental health impact on the men who could face significant delays in finding out if they have cancer. Prostate cancer biopsies are also invasive and uncomfortable procedures. The request was signed off by NHS England but the BMA refused to bring anyone in because the request was based on anxiety rather than on clinical concerns, sources claimed. Fortunately, a resident doctor on the picket heard about the row and broke ranks to care for the men. And all six men had their biopsies that day as planned. Mr Streeting - who previously had kidney cancer - said it was 'completely unacceptable' for the BMA to dismiss the impact of a delayed diagnosis. He said: 'As someone who has been through it, I know all too well what a worrying time it can be while you are waiting to see if you will be diagnosed with cancer. 'Not knowing can be one of the most difficult periods. 'Patients concerned about whether they have cancer and their loved ones want the NHS to provide a diagnosis as quickly as possible. 'It is completely unacceptable for the BMA to dismiss the mental anguish a delayed diagnosis can have on people and families. 'I want to thank the brave resident doctor who broke the strike to ensure these men got the care they deserve.' Dr Victoria Alner, acting Chief Medical Officer at the trust, said: 'Thanks to our staff whose ongoing professionalism and support have enabled us to keep clinics running during the industrial action. 'Our priority is always to provide safe care, and we will continue to do our utmost to minimise disruption for patients.' This time round the NHS is trying to keep as many services as possible running. And the public is being urged to still come forward for care during the walkout. Mr Streeting said the government would "not let the BMA hold the country to ransom". NHS England said hospitals are aiming to reschedule appointments cancelled due to strikes within two weeks. But Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England's co-national medical director, warned this could have a knock-on impact for other patients. 'Even two weeks is too long for somebody to wait and actually that has an impact on the people who are then displaced at that two week period," she told BBC Breakfast. She apologised to patients facing delays, adding: 'I know that is extremely distressing when that happens, and it can potentially lead to both physical and psychological harm. So I am sorry.' Prof Pandit said three derogations were granted on Friday. Nottingham City Hospital reached an agreement to call a striking doc back from the picket line because babies' lives were at risk. Exemptions were agreed for two doctors to return to the Northern General Hospital. Another agreement was made for two anaesthetists to work at University Hospital Lewisham on Saturday. And one registrar radiologist to cover the acute service at King's College Hospital. The number of resident doctors who have joined picket lines is thought to be down by thousands compared to last year's strikes. Labour handed them the biggest pay award of any public sector service with an average increase of 28.9 per cent over three years. But public support has fallen for the latest round strikes. Despite this, resident doctors are demanding a further 29 per cent rise. A BMA spokesperson said: "This service was not suitable for a derogation as the BMA assessed there was no urgent clinical need. "NHS England was repeatedly warned that encouraging non-urgent elective care would lead to last-minute cancellations - with patients bearing the brunt. "Despite this, they chose to press ahead. We remain focused on ensuring a safe service continues." 6 6 6
