Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last year we had a debate on the winter plan and there was an allocation of 205 beds nationally, of which University Hospital Galway was getting zero. I had a big debate with Paul Reid and the team because at the time, one in eight patients on trolleys were in University Hospital Galway but we were not getting any additional beds. I note this year that, according to the local winter plan, University Hospital Galway currently has the highest average 8 a.m. trolley count for the year to date. We are told we are getting an additional two acute beds in University Hospital Galway this year, and an additional 19 public intermediate care beds. Yet in the same report we are told that last year, they provided an additional ten acute beds, six critical care beds and 37 public intermediate care beds. I am confused because last year we were told there were 205 additional beds nationwide but we were getting zero. Yet we were told after the fact that ten acute beds, six critical care beds and 37 public intermediate care beds were provided. I am a little bit confused between what is envisaged and what is delivered. I welcome any additional delivery but where is the lack of foresight in terms of what is going to be provided and what is actually delivered?