Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Page 58 of the programme for Government indicates the Government's support of timely patient discharge from hospitals. Unfortunately, in many cases, the step-down facilities or home help hours are not available for doctors to discharge patients into the most appropriate care setting, with doctors always discharging patients who are medically fit for discharge where a proper care setting is available. Anybody who says otherwise is lying. This is why it is totally outrageous that St. James's Hospital is offering cash prizes for discharge of patients, which is sick behaviour. I have a flyer indicating that there is a €250 prize for the most improved use of the discharge lounge and the medical team sending most patients to a discharge lounge will receive another prize of €250. Surely this behaviour should be investigated as it is totally inappropriate and dangerous.

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