A lack of long-stay hospital beds for the elderly in Otago had the potential to affect elective surgery at Dunedin Hospital, the Otago District Health Board was told yesterday, but hope was expressed that the situation might be eased a little.
Concern about the pressure on the hospital was raised by chief executive Brian Rousseau, who said elderly patients who could not be discharged from hospital were "spilling out" into beds normally used for those receiving surgery.
Regional general manager of planning and funding David Chrisp said he knew of a large aged care provider which was having some rest-home-level beds recertified as hospital beds, although the number was not specified.
Converting beds in a modern building was cheaper than building new facilities.
Mr Chrisp said he had been talking to individual providers about the situation and trends, which indicate that this financial year 16 more people in Otago and Southland will require hospital-level care.
There seemed to be greater recognition of the problem, and modern rest-homes which realised the demand for rest-home-level care was decreasing were also considering the possibility.
Concern had been expressed recently about the sustainability of the aged care sector.
Healthcare Providers New Zealand chief executive Martin Taylor has said providers have been reluctant to put money into new facilities, which involve capital costs of up to $150,000 a bed, not recoverable from government fees.
Mr Chrisp said concern over the availability of nursing staff was holding some providers back from making changes.
Mr Rousseau said some new beds were being commissioned in Invercargill, but that was not likely to help Otago.
