271. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason behind the ‘late discharges’ which have been ongoing in University Hospital Limerick, where elderly dementia/Alzheimer’s patients are being discharged/removed outside of normal discharge hours; where they are being removed to; and if their next of kin has been informed beforehand. [30083/24]

University Limerick Hospitals Group (ULHG) has advised that the policy regarding the discharge of patients from University Hospital Limerick (UHL), or their return to their long-term residence, is a clinically guided decision that can only be effected with the consent of the patient and their loved ones or caregivers. Discharges typically take place during the daytime and evening. Overnight discharges or return to their long-term care residence are the exception rather than the rule and there has been no change in policy in this regard.

ULHG has also advised that in recent months, of the 4,273 inpatients aged 75 and over discharged from UHL, 19 patients (0.4%) were discharged from the hours of midnight and 7am. For the same 90-day period last year, of the 4,253 inpatients aged 75 and over discharged form UHL, 48 of these discharges (1.1%) took place between the hours of midnight and 7am.

In the majority of cases, these patients are being discharged home, with the consent of the patients and their families. No inpatient was discharged to a nursing home between midnight and 7am during either period examined.

In some cases, patients who have not been admitted to an inpatient bed may be transferred from UHL’s Emergency Department or from a surge area to one of ULHG’s Model 2 hospitals, to continue their care in a more appropriate environment. This is more appropriate than having patients of any age on a busy corridor overnight in the Emergency Department. The consent to a transfer is always sought from the patient, and each transfer is dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Every effort is made to ensure that the transfer of patients to community settings takes place at an appropriate time for the patient, and with their consent.