‘Startling’ that 520 patients left on trolleys in summertime
THERE were a “startling” 520 people languishing on hospital trolleys yesterday despite it being the height of summer holiday season.
The total number of patients waiting for beds in trolleys or in wards represented a 27pc increase compared to August 8, 2017.
On the same day last year, a total of 409 people were recorded waiting for beds.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said it was alarmed at its ‘Trolley Watch’ count, which documents overcrowding in hospitals across Ireland.
The hospitals with the highest numbers yesterday included University Hospital Limerick with 60 on trolleys, University Hospital Galway with 34, and the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore with 34.
University Hospital Galway was the only one of these three hospitals that responded to the Irish Independent at the time of going to press.
INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghda said the figures “are genuinely startling”.
“August is not usually such a busy time for emergency departments (EDs), but hospitals are already way over capacity and the numbers are climbing steadily.
“With figures like these, the outlook for the coming winter is extremely bleak for both staff and patient welfare.
“Until measures are taken to increase staffing levels, these numbers will continue to go up.”
A spokesperson at UHG apologised to anyone affected by the high volumes that its ED experienced over the last number of days.
“We are committed to treating everyone who presents at our ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority and unfortunately that leads to delays for some patients.
“UHG apologises for any distress or inconvenience caused to patients or their loved ones who are experiencing long wait times in recent days.
“We also acknowledge the difficult situation for our staff and thank them for their continued dedication and commitment to patient care.”
The hospital also acknowledged measures being taken to relieve pressure on its ED.
These include the transfer of appropriate patients to community care settings, communication with GPs to ensure patients are referred to ED only where appropriate, and extra ward rounds to identify patients suitable for discharge.