"In 2024, there were two children in the children's section of Tallaght Hospital in Dublin who could not be discharged due to homelessness, highlighting the impact of social issues on healthcare."
"The highest number of homeless patients who had to stay in hospital were in St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, where 26 people could not safely leave, illustrating the urgent need for step-down care."
"The figures supplied by the HSE show it is a nationwide issue and not confined to cities, with multiple hospitals across the country reporting similar cases of delayed discharges."
In 2024, 148 patients faced delayed discharges in hospitals, rising to 191 last year. Many patients, including children, could not be discharged due to homelessness. St Vincent's Hospital reported the highest number of homeless patients unable to leave, with 26 cases. Other hospitals also reported similar issues, indicating a nationwide crisis. The HSE noted that delayed transfers occur when patients are ready to leave but still occupy acute beds, raising concerns about the true scale of the problem as many may self-discharge.
Read at Irish Independent
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