440 beds for overcrowded A&Es open ‘by Christmas’

The HSE has pledged that the 440 extra beds promised to deal with emergency department (ED) overcrowding will be open by Christmas.

However, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has warned that it was not enough and that there was not enough staff in place to manage the number promised.

Director general of the HSE, Tony O’Brien, said that yesterday’s meeting of the Emergency Department Task Force looked at new bed provision, improving weekend discharges and co-ordinating hospital and community organisation.