Pressure ‘intense’ to discharge patients

HOSPITAL consultants are coming under “unbearable” pressure to discharge patients early to make room for those awaiting admission in accident and emergency units, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association claims.

Yesterday, the president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, Dr Colm Quigley, blamed the health boards for the annual A&E crisis by leaving treated patients in acute hospital beds for months on end. Dr Quigley said the IHCA was totally opposed to the introduction of a revolving door philosophy into acute hospitals.

The hospital consultants’ group, who met Health Minister Micheál Martin yesterday, told him it was indefensible that up to 600 beds, and in some instances many more, could be occupied by patients who could be properly looked after in nursing homes or similar facilities.