Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. I welcome the fact that it spoke to the concern regarding the trolley numbers in Mayo General Hospital that owe to blockages and a lack of step-down facilities. An urgent case has been made for some of the €10 million in funding to relieve hospital pressures to be released to Mayo General Hospital. Better value for money would be achieved if patients who were more suitable for step-down facilities were not in expensive medical beds. Re-opening 12 beds in Ballina District Hospital would make a considerable contribution to solving this problem. In light of the fact that decisions on prioritisation are imminent, I ask that this view be taken and that real support be given to the district hospital's management. From my regular dealings with it, its management is trying its best to stick to the Minister's intention, that is, to solve the problem creatively.

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