Specialists warned authorities of intensive care crisis a year ago

INTENSIVE care specialists warned over a year ago of a crisis in services but they say little has been done since to address the issues raised.

The Intensive Care Society of Ireland (ICSI) published a survey in March last year which found up to one-third of critically ill patients referred to intensive care units (ICU) were refused admission because of a lack of beds and a severe shortage of ICU nurses.

The study was carried out at 10 of the country's largest hospitals, including Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, and found that while the situation was worst in the Eastern Region Health Authority (ERHA), it was also "intolerable" in the rest of the country.