A&E wards still overcrowded: Labour

Patients are lying on trolleys waiting for treatment in emergency wards while hospital beds lie vacant, the Labour Party claimed today.

Joe Costello, Labour TD for Dublin Central is leading the party’s weekly protest outside the Mater Hospital to draw attention to the crisis in Accident and Emergency wards.

He will be joined by members of the Labour Party, supporters and the public for the protest outside the Dublin hospital’s A&E ward between 1pm and 2pm today.

Mr Costello said: “This week up to 21 patients were lying on hospital trolleys waiting for treatment while 480 beds lie idle in Dublin Hospitals. This horror story does not bode well for the wintertime, the busiest time of year for our health service.

“The Labour Party will continue to pursue the Taoiseach, in whose constituency the Mater Hospital is located, and the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, to alleviate the crisis hitting the Mater Hospital.”

Mr Costello has been holding the weekly protest outside the hospital for more than six months and will continue to do so until the situation at the A&E ward improves.