Doctor shuts crowded A&E

ONE THOUSAND more patients were treated on trolleys in Cork University Hospital's A&E department last year than in 2003.

The figures were released yesterday by consultant Dr Stephen Cusack, the man who was forced to close the department to all but emergencies when overcrowding became too severe.

Dr Cusack was not inclined to lay the blame on anybody in particular for that fact that at one stage, 30 patients were being treated on trolleys.

But one local politician, who used to be a member of the now defunct Southern Health Board, had the Government firmly in his sights. Deputy Bernard Allen (FG), described the four-and-a-quarter hour closure as "a massive scandal", which he claimed was down to bad planning by the Government.

"We have a modern A&E department left unused. Money was given to build the building, but the Government seemed to have forgotten about staffing it," Deputy Allen said.

"It's a scandal that it won't open now until April. That building has been lying idle for almost a year. The Department of Health and Minister for Health should hang their heads in shame."

Funding for staff has now been allocated. However, the Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) said it was still negotiating with management on the number of nurses who will man it.

INO spokeswoman Patsy Doyle said talks had been going on for the last five months and she was still hopeful that 65 nurses would be employed in the new department, compared to the current 45.

Rachel Collins from Kinsale said that she had spent five-and-a-half hours waiting to been treated for an arm injury at the A&E on Monday. Yesterday she had an appointment for surgery at 10am. Two hours later she was still waiting.

"People were just strewn all over the place in there&," Ms Collins said.

Ann Hill from Farranree accompanied her daughter, who had injured her hand, to the department in the early morning. "We're waiting on a bed. We don't know how long that will be. We were told it could be 5pm," she said.

One man grateful the department wasn't closed for emergency cases was Sean Byrne from Blarney.

His wife was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and Mr Byrne said he was very "appreciative" to all who were helping.

Dr Cusack, who has been consultant at the A&E department for the last 12 years, said it was the first time he'd had to make a decision to close it to all but emergencies.