To ask the Minister of Health how many intensive care unit beds are protected for (i) complex surgery; and (ii) use in the independent sector.

Critical care capacity across Northern Ireland hospitals is usually maintained at a steady state of 88 ICU beds. The latest critical care surge plan outlines how each critical care unit will increase ICU beds from the baseline of 88 to a maximum total of 119. Each level of surge has a nominal number of ICU beds assigned for unscheduled care including winter pressures, COVID-19 and time-critical / sensitive elective surgery.

Critical care capacity for complex surgery is modelled as requiring a maximum of 17 beds throughout Northern Ireland. This is therefore the maximum number of ICU beds nominally earmarked for this purpose. This capacity does not include Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) capacity of between 4-6 beds in Belfast Trust which also manages complex patients.

It should be noted that not all complex surgery presents on the elective pathway, as there are considerable number of patients receiving surgery that present via emergency departments. However, there is a process in place which books beds for elective patients that may need capacity in a critical care bed.

We do not currently use Critical Care capacity outside Trust facilities.