Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will provide a short example of how the step-down beds work. In University Hospital Waterford, we have 48 step-down beds in various nursing homes into Wexford, up to Clonmel and in the whole hinterland. As a result, we have had zero trolleys with the last four years because we have those step-down beds. They are absolutely crucial. A patient deemed discharged by the consultant who still needs nursing care for up to 11 weeks is provided for and it is working.