Not one of 850 promised beds put in place

THE Department of Health has been forced to admit it has not put in place any of the 850 step-down nursing unit beds promised more than two years ago.

Labour health spokesperson Liz McManus said the broken promise raised questions about the urgency of the Government in resolving current hospital crises.

She said former Health Minister Micheál Martin announced in July 2002 that 850 beds would be provided at nine planned new community nursing units.