Emergency departments ‘struggle’ with staff levels

HOSPITAL emergency departments are struggling to cope with serious staff shortages, resulting in some shifts being left uncovered and causing havoc to existing quality and safety standards.

Advocacy group the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has warned that some emergency departments are struggling to cope with staff levels up to 80% below what is needed.

A nationwide survey by the group, which represents emergency department staff, has found that 18 of the 31 public hospitals are drastically under- staffed – with serious gaps across all worker levels due to strict HSE budgets.