Emergency department taskforce labelled a failure as trolley numbers rise

The Government’s emergency department taskforce has been dubbed a failure by one of its key members as trolley figures continue to rise and nurses prepare to ballot for strike action in the run-up to Christmas.

Liam Doran, who co-chairs the taskforce with Tony O’Brien, director general of the HSE, said the “grand plans” of the taskforce were “not delivering any improvement on the ground” and while efforts to tackle the crisis were earnest, they were inadequate.

“The taskforce has failed to date to make any dent on the numbers on trolleys. In fact they have got worse,” said Mr Doran, secretary general of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).