Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Has the Department done an analysis of what is required for step-down and transitional facilities in the greater Dublin area? There are still difficulties in some hospitals with regard to discharges, meaning people are in hospital for too long. Mount Carmel had surgery and post-surgery facilities. One would assume it could cater for step-down and transitional care with little conversion or capital expense, other than the purchase of it. With HIQA’s further assessment of step-down facilities and community nursing homes, there could be pressure on beds in the greater Dublin area in a year or two. Has the Department or the HSE looked at Mount Carmel providing a solution to these imminent problems?