Ms Barbara O'Connell:

Yes, absolutely. We have encountered patients who have gone back to college and work. Even people who were in nursing homes have gone back to college.

People do not realise just how bad it is. Once the lady who was in an acute hospital ward in Beaumont for a year waiting for rehabilitation received rehabilitative care, she began to make significant improvements. However, the delay meant she may not make the significant improvement she should make. Delays occur in this regard and with specific inpatients. Following the inpatient stage, people can be rehabilitated in their community. They do not necessarily need to avail of an inpatient service.