Measures aimed at improving A&E crisis

ANOTHER series of measures aimed at improving the ongoing crisis at the country’s A&Es were announced last night on the eve of the broadcast of a potentially explosive RTÉ programme on A&E services.

The HSE said the developments will “increase efficiency and ensure patient privacy and dignity”.

Consultants have expressed outrage at the use of hidden cameras to film the Prime Time documentary. Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) secretary general Finbarr Fitzpatrick said hidden cameras should not be used in hospital settings as they undermine patient privacy.

Admissions lounges are to be introduced in hospitals at Naas, the Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Drogheda, Wexford, as well as Beaumont and Tallaght in Dublin.

Admission lounges will be situated beside A&E units and will allow patients to be cared for in comfortable, private accommodation prior to transfer to inpatient beds.

Other measures being introduced include a discharge lounge in Cork University Hospital. This will allow for patients awaiting discharge to be facilitated in a comfortable environment and so free up acute beds.

New wards are to due at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, St James’s, Dublin, and the Mercy Hospital, Cork.