Emergency room waiting times set to lengthen

EVEN longer waiting times in hospital emergency departments are inevitable from next month, the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has warned.

The IAEM yesterday said staffing levels in emergency departments would be worse than ever from July 11, the changeover day for junior doctors, who are on six-month contracts.

“The IAEM fears that prolonged emergency department waiting times for patients will lead to delayed treatment and potential avoidable harm. While we are producing more doctors that ever before in Ireland, the situation is worsening and the Health Service Executive (HSE) must urgently reconsider its approach to the matter.”