Ten short stay public beds in Ballina District Hospital will be reopened in the near future to help to alleviate delayed discharges from Mayo General Hospital. The announcement of the approval for the reopening of these beds was made yesterday (Thursday, January 22 ) and it was warmly welcomed by Government TDs in the county.
Michelle Mulherin TD told the Mayo Advertiser: “Minister Varadkar contacted me this morning to confirm this good news. It will create extra step down beds so that the 19 patients on delayed discharge in Mayo General Hospital can be send to step down beds in Ballina and Swinford District Hospitals.” She continued: “The trolley problem has shown no let up in past six to seven weeks, and considering the size of Mayo General compared to other hospitals and the small emergency department area, it is a very difficult environment for patients and for staff operate in day after day, without a doubt. I am delighted that the reality of this situation has been taken on board by the Minister and the HSE and that we will see short term solutions implemented shortly.”
The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, said: “Patients remain the priority and are at the heart of all the reforms we are implementing. Numbers waiting at Mayo General Hospital are down 35 per cent on January 6 which shows that Government action is working. We will continue to work to solve this problem."
Minister of State, Michael Ring, said: “As an immediate measure, 11 patients currently located in the district hospitals in Ballina and Swinford who are awaiting funding for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme will be approved funding and moved to private facilities immediately. This initiative in Mayo should provide the necessary options to deal with any residual issue of delayed discharge during this surge period with flu, etc.”
