Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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687. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Louth suffering from locked-in syndrome was refused funding from the Health Service Executive to be allowed return home from Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, considering the fact the HSE would save approximately €168,000 per annum if this request was accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16757/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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“Locked in” syndrome is a challenging condition in which a patient generally retains cognitive function but requires constant clinical supports, such as ventilation. It must be acknowledged that the person's needs are complex and patients with such needs are generally cared for in an intensive care setting. The Department has discussed this case with the Health Service Executive and I understand that an early meeting between the family and senior officials in the HSE is being arranged to discuss and consider the patient's request to transfer home from Beaumont and the significant complex issues associated with such a transfer.

I would note that there are unlikely to be savings associated with a transfer from Beaumont Hospital to home as the intensive care bed in Beaumont will be occupied and require to be funded into the future.