Two new respite/rehabilitation beds but Mayo needs more

TWO new beds for respite and rehabilitation are to open in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, in the coming week.

Deputy Michael Ring raised the need for respite care beds in County Mayo in the Dáil, particularly in the Sacred Heart Hospital.

In the reply received, the HSE confirmed that Community Healthcare West will be opening two beds, one for respite and one for rehabilitation, from May 15 at the Sacred Heart Hospital.

Deputy Ring, while welcoming this news, said that more respite beds are needed in Mayo.

He commented: “With ever increasing pressures on Mayo University Hospital, it is vital that we have more respite beds so that patients that are past the need for acute medical care in Mayo University Hospital could be transferred to those respite beds for step-down care, prior to discharge home. By providing more respite beds, this will help to alleviate the overcrowding in Mayo University Hospital and also allow a much needed break for family members who are caring for those patients.”

He added: “The respite beds in the Sacred Heart Hospital have been closed for quite some time. This has created huge problems for Mayo University Hospital and for families of patients who need this respite care.

“I am pleased to see that a rehabilitative bed is also being opened. The Sacred Heart Hospital is very highly regarded for the work they do there and I am very pleased to see this bed is now going to be opened as well.

“I will continue to raise this matter with the Minister for Health and the HSE to ensure that sufficient respite beds are made available in Mayo.”