Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that beds will be opened in Beaumont but we must focus on resolving the real issue. We all receive regular complaints from families, in particular those of senior citizens who find themselves on trolleys. This is especially the case at Beaumont Hospital. This situation is not acceptable. The Minister mentioned that 21 beds would be re-opened in Beaumont and six had been re-opened, amounting to 27 beds, but the staff on the ground have told me that they need approximately 80 long-term beds to resolve this regular crisis. I hope that the Minister pays attention. The professionals were objective and clinical about this issue. They told me that they needed approximately 80 beds, but the Minister has stated that they will only get 27. We must focus on this because we cannot have patients on trolleys this Christmas.

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