Overcrowding is improving

THE overcrowding in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is improving despite a 3% increase in attendance for the first quarter of 2017, it has been claimed.

In a written Dail answer to a question from TD Fergus O’Dowd as to why the medical assessment unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital was recently closed, Minister for Health Simon Harris said under the framework of the HSE Full Capacity Protocol, the Lourdes has in place an agreed escalation plan within which to operate during periods of ED overcrowding. It sets out a range of extraordinary special measures which can be activated throughout the escalation process as a last resort.

he said as part of this a Medical Assessment Unit may temporarily be used to accommodate a locally agreed number of extra patients to address the overcrowding. This is often referred to as being used for surge capacity.

The Minister went on to say tthat despite an increase in over 3% in attendances for the first quarter in 2017, 42% less patients were waiting on a trolley, as compared to the same period last year.