The percentage of patients discharged from local hospitals on weekends is on the rise.
That's according to data compiled by the Department of Health and published in yesterday's Irish Independent.
The data reveals that consultants are seeing fewer patients in public hospital clinics than they did in 2016.
This is due to extended appointment times throughout the week, including over the weekend.
Hospitals serving the Shannonside region have seen a rise in the percentage of patients being discharged on weekends, with Portiuncula University Hospital recording the highest figure at 17.6%.
This is followed by Sligo University Hospital at 13.6%, and 13.5% in Mullingar Regional Hospital.
Nationally, the biggest rise was recorded at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, at 19%.
Overall, length of stay varies per hospital, with Mullingar Regional Hospital doing best with an average stay of 3.2 days.
