OVER 3,800 ON TROLLEYS

OVER the past year some 3,871 patients had to make do with a bed on a trolley at Sligo University Hospital.

The figures, released by the INMO show there were 2,903 on trolleys in the Emergency Department from January 1st to November 28th 2018 with a further 968 on trolleys in other wards.

Yesterday (Monday), some 21 patients were left waiting on beds at the hospital. Last year the hospital had an overall budget of €112 million which increased to €116 million in 2018.

During the same period there was no rise in the nursing numbers or open beds. HSE West Forum Vice Chairperson, Cllr Keith Henry said: “I’m very concerned that we are not at the height of the flu season yet and we have so many patients on trolleys.

“Throwing money at the problem and not chasing to see where it is going is not going to solve it.

“Leaving patients on trolleys is a health hazard and we need to see more staffed beds open in Sligo University Hospital,” Cllr Henry said.

The HSE in a written response to Cllr Henry stated that there are 281 inpatient beds and 62 day case beds open in SUH which has been the case for each of the past three years. The budget in 2016 was €110m, 2017 €112m and 2018 €116m.

Cllr Henry added: “I carefully watch trolley figures in the hospital and speak to staff and patients on a regular basis and they detail their experiences to me.”

At Monday’s meeting of Sligo County Council, councillors unanimously agreed to write to the Minister for Health, Simon Harris requesting an update on the provision of Capital Funding for extra beds at the hospital.