Dr. Colm Henry:

There are certainly very high occupancy levels. It is certainly unsafe. Advice for a functioning hospital system would be to keep occupancy levels at 85% or less. During periods of surge, as Mr. McCallion said, we find that people coming in through unscheduled care occupy beds designated for other purposes and, as we all know, people also occupy trolleys. That is the subject of the meeting. It is a function not only of bed capacity but also of how beds are used. The average length of stay nationally is six days. It may also be a function of the existence or otherwise of alternatives, such as community services, particularly for those who are most in need. In our urgent and emergency departments, even though older people, those over 65, comprise a minority of presentations, they comprise a majority of admissions. How we provide services and alternatives to the main groups attending is another influencing factor on occupancy rates.