Op delays forced aunt 91, to ‘fast for 4 days’

A DISTRESSED woman told how her 91-year-old aunt had to fast for four days when a hip operation was cancelled several times.

The incident happened in Limerick University Hospital, which saw a surge in patients due to elderly people injuring themselves in the hot weather.

Limerick woman Mary said: “My aunt went into hospital by ambulance on Saturday and by the time she was stabilised she was due for surgery Sunday – which didnt happen – Monday – which didn’t happen – Tuesday – which didn’t happen.

“And we really did put pressure on to insist that she had an operation on Wednesday, which she did.” Mary’s aunt broke her hip and needed a replacement.

Due to the nature of the surgery she was required to fast for 24 hours, but a flood of critical cases caused the hospital to postpone her appointment.

This saw her fasting continu- ously for four days, refraining from eating food and only being allowed to wet her lips with water throughout.

On top of this, Mary said there was a dire shortage of air conditioning in the extremely outdated buildings, and staff had to accommodate wards with portable units.

She told RTE’S Liveline: “They’re bringing in mobile air conditioning units and placing them in the middle of the ward, and sometimes the air conditioning reaches the people and sometimes it doesn’t.” A hospital statement said: “Patients on emergency/ trauma lists are prioritised based on clinical decision making and chronological order.”