Safety body highlights risk posed by A&E overcrowding

The Health and Safety Authority has criticised overcrowding in hospital A&E departments and the risk it poses to staff and patients.

In a report published today, the authority highlights a number of potential dangers from A&E congestion, including the risk of injury and infection.

The report was based on inspections carried out at 11 hospitals over the last six weeks.

The HSA said it found that fire exits were being blocked by trolleys and equipment at eight of the hospitals visited, while there was also a fragmented approach to A&E management throughout the country.