Hospital bed for cardiac patient
Deputy Troy described a woman discharged from Mullingar because no bed was available for urgent cardiac treatment in the Mater. The Taoiseach said he did not know the case details, hoped a bed could be found, and asked for the information to be sent for assessment.
There is a crisis in our health service regarding hospital bed shortages. Today, a young lady in her 40s has been discharged from Mullingar hospital because there is no bed for her in the Mater hospital. Her consultant at Mullingar hospital said her heart was failing at an alarming rate. If she does not get access to a bed for a life-saving procedure in the Mater hospital, she is going to die. This is a damning indictment of the health services policies the Government is pursuing. What can the Taoiseach do for this lady whose life will be saved if she gets the necessary procedure, but for whom there is no bed in the Mater hospital today?
Comment on this
I do not know the details of the case the Deputy mentioned. It is obviously a stressful time for the person involved. I am not aware whether any other specialist cardiac unit could do the same operation and has a bed available. These decisions are made by consultants and clinical people as to the priorities. I hope the matter can be dealt with, that a bed can be found for the young woman and that she can receive her life-saving treatment. If the Deputy gives me the details later, we can have them assessed.