Coma victim hit by long-stay bed shortage

A YOUNG woman in a coma was forced to spend almost three years at an acute Cork hospital as more suitable community care could not be found for her.

The woman has since died from pneumonia.

Doctors had repeatedly tried to find a more appropriate facility for the woman, but an extreme shortage of long-stay beds for high dependency patients has meant that those aged under 65 can wait five to 10 years before a place becomes available.