Many community care beds across the North West remain closed or unavailable, with staffing shortages cited as the main reason.

The HSE says recruitment is ongoing, with 11 short-stay beds at St John's Hospital expected to open by August and six beds at St Patrick's Hospital, Carrick-on-Shannon, due to reopen by the end of July.

However, concerns remain over six dementia care beds in Ballyshannon that cannot open because of funding and recruitment approval have not yet been provided.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Councillor Edel McSharry, Vice-Chair of the Regional Health Forum Committee, says all available beds must be opened urgently to help ease overcrowding pressures at Sligo University Hospital.