TROLLEY SHAME

the massive waiting lists as unacceptable with 9,864 people aged 75 or older left lying on trolleys in A&E for longer than 24 hours in the first eight months this year.

He said: “The latest figures released represent a serious indictment of Fine Gael’s management of the public hospital system in this country.

“We must bear in mind that by November 2 last year, 9,206 over-75s had spent longer than 24 hours on a trolley.

“Data for the first eight months of this year demonstrate a serious deteriora- tion in how the HSE treats older patients when they present to Emergency Departments. 2018 is already far worse than last year, and I really do fear for the coming winter.

“I fully expect the total number for this year to exceed 14,000 – a shocking statistic in itself but even worse when we consider that these are our parents, our aunts and uncles left lying, often in a very vulnerable state, on uncomfortable and unsuitable trolleys.” In January alone, a total of 1,955 pensioners nationwide were lying on trolleys. The highest numbers that month were 201 patients in the Mater Hospital, Dublin followed by 186 in St Vincent’s, Dublin.

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Co Louth had 174 elderly patients in January. This was followed closely by University Hospital Waterford 175, Galway University Hospital at 171 and Cork University Hospital at 102.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation warned matters are set to deteriorate. Spokesman Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: “This should be regarded as a national crisis. But it’s become business as usual in the Irish health service.

“Frontline staff are telling us they can’t go on with this number of unfilled vacancies. It’s not safe for patients and it’s not safe for staff.

“The HSE simply cannot hire enough nurses and midwives on these wages. Unless pay increases, vacancies will remain open, wards will remain understaffed and things will only get worse.”