AS 79 WAIT FOR STEP-DOWN CARE IN BEAUMONT HOSPITAL FULL RESOURCES NEEDED AT ST JOSEPHS
Dublin North East Deputy Tommy Broughan has been advised by the Health Minister and the HSE that there are currently 79 patients in Beaumont waiting for step-down care.
Deputy Broughan was informed by the HSE that as of May 31, 2012, there are 79 patients awaiting transfer to appropriate nursing home facilities.
Deputy Broughan said, “Earlier this year I was told by the HSE that they would be opening up the final phase of the 75 bed allocation of the Community Nursing Unit in St. Joseph’s Hospital. It is unclear whether all these beds are now available and, if not, it is absolutely critical that all of these beds are urgently brought on stream to ensure greater step-down facilities for patients who are currently in Beaumont.”
Deputy Broughan had been informed by the HSE in April that, “The Community Nursing Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dublin 5 is staffed for 75 beds. They have begun to open the final 25 beds on a phased basis since the 6th February 2012 and additional staffing is required to staff these additional beds. Staffing is currently being allocated to the first phase of 12 beds and then and then staffing will be allocated to the final 13 beds.”
Deputy Broughan has now contacted Minister Reilly to determine how many beds in St. Joseph’s are still waiting to be opened.
