People concerned at corners being cut on hospital beds issue - McCarthy

8.48.00am GMT Thu 23rd Mar 2006

Alliance Health Spokesperson Alderman Kieran McCarthy MLA has said people are concerned that corners are being cut in the attempt to balance health budgets, after it was revealed that hospital beds are being handed over in little over an hour.

The Strangford Assembly member stated: "It is clearly totally unacceptable that people entering hospital risk picking up new diseases while they are there. It now appears this is largely down to the quick turnover in hospital beds - sometimes there is a gap of little over an hour between one person leaving and another entering.

"This is more piecemeal stuff from those in charge of the health service. Instead of looking for genuine efficiency improvements, corners are being cut just to alleviate specific annual budget problems. This is no way to manage anything.

"People also want to be sure about what is being run by the NHS directly, and what is being run by agencies and contractors. There is a lot of confusion out there, and that does nothing for public confidence in hospitals."

ENDS