Trolley wait unacceptable, says Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday conceded it was unacceptable for elderly patients to endure lengthy stays on hospital trolleys.

But he said the Government had approved Health Service Executive (HSE) plans to secure another 250 private beds for public patients. These were in addition to 250 private beds provided in November, and would help ease pressure on hospitals.

But these would prove only a short-term solution, he indicated, as the number of older people presenting at A&E units was increasing.