Cutbacks ensure older patients can’t be discharged from hospital

THE HSE cutbacks are severely affecting older people in hospital who are ready for discharge and wish to go home.

A relative of mine was approved for a homecare package to go home from hospital after breaking his leg, but this has now been suspended because of HSE cutbacks.

It is a ridiculous situation whereby older people who are in hospital awaiting discharge on foot of a homecare package are forced to stay in and, as a result, acute beds are occupied by those who need not be in them.

A direct consequence of this will be longer queues in A&E because of the non- availability of these acute beds — a situation that the homecare scheme was designed specifically to avoid.

Tony Shaw

34 Wilfield

Sandymount Ave

Dublin 4