Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Second, I want to raise the issue of discharge from hospitals. While I know everything is being done to try to expedite this, even as we sit here, I understand that anything up to 500 people are in hospital who should not be there but should be discharged. I have tabled a parliamentary question regarding someone who has been in St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin for two and a half years. A suitable alternative place for her care has been identified but she still has not been discharged. Someone who had been in Cork University Hospital, CUH, for 15 months was discharged on 12 June. That person could have been discharged 12 months ago. Where we have complex cases why does it take so long to identify suitable places? There is also engagement with the private sector on dealing with this issue. What can we do to fast-track this issue?