The HSE’s national equipment replacement programme (NERP) has requested an increase in its funding allocation.
The additional funding would support the replacement of the most complex and highest-value medical equipment up to 2029.
A HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent that the request to support an annual funding increase for the NERP “has been progressed”.
The proposal seeks to raise the NERP allocation to €136 million per year for the period to 2029 – an increase of €12.4 million on the 2025 annual allocation.
“This will be subject to the availability of funding and subject to prioritisation of the NERP in the HSE’s annual capital planning process,” the spokesperson added.
Capital funding requirements for the NERP up to 2029 were discussed at the May meeting of the HSE audit and risk committee.
According to meeting minutes, committee members considered a NERP report and the associated funding request.
The report outlined scenarios for replacing essential medical equipment “with the goal to further reduce the backlog of at-risk ageing HSE medical equipment assets over a five-year period”.
The report recommended that the NERP prioritises the replacement of the most complex and highest-value equipment, which would require additional investment.
The programme’s focus remains on addressing “at-risk ageing medical equipment assets” currently in clinical use across the HSE.
It was also agreed at the meeting “that further work would be undertaken by the HSE regarding equipment utilisation”.
HSE Capital and Estates are currently undertaking this exercise, the spokesperson said.
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