A Discharge Lounge has been set up at Mater Dei Hospital for people who are discharged by the medical teams but are still awaiting arrangements for their release from hospital, the Health Ministry said.

In this way, it added, hospital beds will be used by those who really need them.

It said the new lounge will be used by people awaiting the paperwork for their discharge from hospital and others awaiting transport arrangements.

This is in line with practice abroad.

Such people, the ministry said, are no longer considered patients.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, opposition spokesman for health, said this was yet another attempt by the government to counter the acute shortage of hospital beds brought about by lack of foresight and proper planning by the government.

She said she hoped no measures were taken which could be detrimental to patients. A proper plan was needed to tackle the bed shortage rather than management by crisis.

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