Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

Yes. What is important is that the patient is treated. If it is appropriate for treatment to be provided on a non-hospital basis in a primary care setting, day case basis, same day surgery and so on, that is where it should be given. The issue for surgeons, which is being addressed by Dr. White, is the ringfencing of beds. Many surgeons say that they do bring in their patients in advance to ensure they have a bed. That has been part of the problem, but it is being addressed at the moment. Those clinical leads will be in place on a interim basis in March and will be appointed on a permanent basis later.

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