HEALTH MINISTER TO ADDRESS GALWAY HOSPITAL WAITING LISTS

Date Published: 14-Dec-2011

Health Minister James Reilly says community intervention teams need to be put in place to help curb patient waiting lists at public hospitals in Galway.

The Minister argues that many patients could get certain treatments such as intravenous fluids at home, meaning beds would be freed up for new and existing patients.

Minister Reilly today confirmed the medical assessment unit at University Hospital Galway will open on the tenth of January.

A similar unit was opened up in Cork University Hospital this year, and led to a 25 percent reduction in hospital bed admissions.

However, Health Minister James Reilly says there also needs to be more home help services to help get patients off waiting lists.