Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin is to request the Minister for Health make funding available to re-open 12 beds in Ballina District Hospital in order relieve pressure on acute services at Mayo General which, she said, has seen an eight per cent increase in people presenting to the hospital in recent months, ‘along with a marked increase in the number of patients on trolleys which had been brought well below the national average in the previous 18 months’.
Deputy Mulherin added: “Mayo General is coming under increased pressure due to the lack of availability of step-down facilities and also as a result of the closure of A&E at Roscommon Hospital.
“I met with HSE management for Mayo a couple of days ago. Mayo General Hospital is coming under considerable pressure.
“I am due to meet the Minister for Health shortly and am requesting that funding be made available to re-open 12 beds in Ballina District Hospital which would relieve pressure on acute services.
“Due to staffing difficulties the 12 beds have closed. If re-opened these beds would facilitate and alleviate overcrowding at Mayo General Hospital by way of step-down facilities. It would also allow for direct admissions to the ward which would avoid hospital admissions.
“The proposal is for 2.5 nurses and 3.5 Health Care Assistants which would cover the additional catering needs.
“I understand that from a cost point of view patients delayed in medical beds on account of a lack of availability of step-down facilities are detained at a cost of €900 per day to the State compared to €1,000 per week at Ballina District Hospital, which makes treatment for patients in Ballina considerably more economical from the health budget point of view,” concluded Deputy Mulherin.
