Sligo Councillor says lack of stepdown facilities locally is leading to increased Hospital stays

A Sligo Councillor says the lack of stepdown facilities in the North West is behind why Letterkenny and Sligo University Hospitals having the second and third highest figure in the Country when it comes to weekly average number of patients in hospital who are well enough to be discharged. A recent report in the Irish Independent claims another Hospital in the Saolta Group, Galway University Hospital has the highest weekly average at 44, followed by Letterkenny and Sligo University Hospital where the numbers are 33 and 26 respectively.  The report claims that More than 5,500 patients have been in hospital for longer than medically necessary so far this year, with 29 patients having stayed in hospital for more than six months due to delays in accessing care they need in the community. A delayed transfer of care occurs when a patient is ready to leave inpatient care but is still occupying a HSE-funded bed. Reacting to the figures Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Donal Gilroy says the lack of stepdown facilities has been an ongoing issued in the North West.