Nurses reject Ahern’s A&E claims

Evelyn Ring

The Taoiseach told the Dáil that a decision to buy beds in private nursing homes to free up hospital space "is now working."

Irish Nursing Organisation general secretary Liam Doran said there was no discernible improvement.

There were more than 300 patients on trolleys yesterday, he said. "The reality is that the Government measures are not having any visible effect on the ground where it matters," he said.

Mr Doran said the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, admitted on Tuesday that the implementation of her 10-point plan to improve the service was slower than she would have wished.

"We are now getting mixed signals from the Government. What exactly is going on and what exactly is the Government doing to ensure that the plan they announced on November 29 last year is going to be implemented?" And commenting on the

serious safety issues in A&E units identified in the Health and Safety Authority's (HSA) report, Mr Doran said the health employers owed healthcare staff an apology.

The HSA report said overcrowding led to an increased risk of injury, infection and violence from frustrated patients.

It also found that trolleys, chairs, catering trolleys and medical equipment was stored in fire-protected corridors; fire exit doors were obstructed and evacuation plans were

inadequate. "Health employers have been telling us for the last three-and-a-half years now that what we have been saying about A&Es was untrue that they were safe," said

Mr Doran.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) must now acknowledge that workplaces are very unsafe and ensure that safe work systems are in place for their staff without a moment's delay, he insisted.

The Irish Patients's Association said the situation highlighted by the HSA report was unacceptable.

A spokesperson for the HSE said an apology was unnecessary but that staff and management needed to work together to address the issues raised.

The HSE was already working closely with hospitals and the HSA to achieve this, he added.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) said the HSE had been put on notice by the HSA to address the overcrowding issues.

"If the executive fails within a reasonable period of time to respond appropriately, then the HSA must use its statutory powers to protect patient safety," said IHCA assistant secretary Donal Duffy. Ms Harney said she welcomed the HSA report and said that she had spoken many times about her concern about the conditions staff and patients had to cope with on a daily basis. She believed the report would add further impetus to the Government drive to improve the delivery of A&E services.

Labour deputy leader and health spokesperson Liz McManus said conditions in some A&E departments were so bad that there was little doubt that they would be closed down were they not offering such a vital service.