Hospitals are finding it impossible to get clearance to transfer patients because HSE patient transport vehicles are not available. I refer to the health reform Bill in the light of the fact that a patient was left waiting for 30 hours in Beaumont Hospital for an ambulance transfer which tied up a high dependency neurological bed that could not be accessed by anyone else. Can we have joined-up thinking across the health service to ensure patients are transferred in a timely manner and can get the treatment they require? This is not only an issue in Beaumont Hospital; this is happening across the country.

The legislation is listed for this session. A number of issues are being worked out. I had a case given to me by a Deputy last week. The Deputy brought a relative to hospital because an ambulance could not leave the hospital as it did not have a trolley. I do not understand this. Good management would ensure a number of spare trolleys would be available to allow ambulances collect people.

All the patients are on them.

The Minister for Health is hiding them-----

It is a question of hospital management looking at what beds are available to be transferred. Nobody should wait 30 hours for an ambulance transfer, thereby tying up a bed.