Patients suffer in face of chaotic hospital practices

MANAGEMENT and consultants in hospitals have reported chaos in the way patients are assessed, admitted and discharged.

A Comhairle na nOspidéal review of the role of Acute Medical Assessment and Admission Units (AMUs) found serious concerns about poor use of resources, the impact of delays on patient health and the public’s perceptions of the health service.

The report, published yesterday, recommended that all acute general hospitals receiving acutely ill medical patients have a medical assessment unit.