Twomey says State should take over Leas Cross

THE Government should take over Leas Cross, the nursing home closed down in the wake of an RTÉ PrimeTime investigation, to ease overcrowding in Dublin hospitals, Fine Gael demanded yesterday.

Party health spokesman Dr Liam Twomey urged Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney to sanction the takeover of closed nursing homes in Dublin to allow the transfer of patients inappropriately placed in acute hospital beds.

He identified Leas Cross in North Dublin, which has a capacity of 100 beds, and the Beaumont Convalescent Home, another closed facility with 66 beds, as facilities the Government should ask the HSE to take over.