David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We obviously need more inpatient beds in some hospitals, but it is not all about beds. In some hospitals which got additional beds in recent years, we are not seeing the improvements we need. Of course, we need more inpatient bed capacity because if we have more beds, we can admit patients more quickly. We also need a discharge plan for each patient as soon as they go into the hospital. That needs to be multidisciplinary with all staff working together as a team. They also need to know that step-down beds are available in the community which very often is not the case. Many patients cannot get home care support packages. There is a clear linkage between what is happening in our acute hospitals and a lack of capacity in GP care and out-of-hours care, a matter I have raised with the Minister before. Unless we get the enhanced community care piece right, 40% of patients, who should be treated within the home or in the community, will continue to go to emergency departments. That is where the Minister's focus needs to be.

See this speech in context