Cork University Hospital finishes bottom of HSE performance table
Figures from the latest HealthStat league show during March CUH received a “red light” rating – the worst standard possible.
Of 24 other hospitals ranked in the table, no other facility was rated so low, with 23 hospitals receiving the average “amber light” standard and just one – St James’s Hospital in Dublin – being given the high performance “green light” ranking.
The HSE ratings system is used to test hospital performance on a regular basis and is based on categories such as inpatient and outpatient waiting times and diagnostic test delays.
Other issues include hours patients spend in emergency departments before being treated, staff absenteeism and the average length of stay for a patient.
According to the official standings, CUH failed in the majority of these services, with waiting times for child operations, emergency department admission delays and routine outpatient diagnostic tests among the hospital’s worst offenders.
The facility has repeatedly fallen below satisfactory levels outlined in the HealthStat system in recent years, partially as a result of budget cuts and staff recruitment restrictions.
During March both CUH and the adjoining Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) faced a serious outbreak of the norovirus winter vomiting bug.
As a result, restrictions were placed on visitors to the hospital, contributing to the low ratings the facility has received.
While the outpatients department and the emergency department were not affected by the virus, patients were urged to use the alcohol gel provided in order to cut down on the risk of the outbreak spreading.
In the same league table update, Munster hospitals such as Mallow General and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital received amber light ratings, indicating satisfactory performance levels.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
