Record high waiting on hospital trolleys

The number of people waiting for hospital beds reached a record high tonight, with 455 patients on A&E trolleys.

The Irish Nurses Organisation exposed Cork University Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin – where more than 60 patients have been struck with the winter vomiting bug – as having the greatest number of patients awaiting admission.

But the Health Service Executive this afternoon denied the huge hike, announcing just 363 patients were waiting for admission.

“There are 162 admissions in the east of the country and 201 regionally,” a spokesperson said.

“Bearing in mind that accident and emergency admission figures are rarely more that 300, today’s regional figure indicates a temporary spike in A&E activity outside of Dublin.”

But Tony Fitzpatrick, industrial relations officer with the Irish Nurses Organisation, slammed the situation, which he said was continuously getting worse for frontline staff.

“Our members are trying to deliver quality care, but the situation is intolerable,” he said.

“There is a big increase in the number of patients waiting for beds and an increase in the amount of time they are waiting. Some people are in A&E for days and returning home despite never getting on a hospital ward.

“A&E departments are at breaking point.”

According to the INO, trolley watch counts in Dublin hospitals totalled 219: St Vincent’s 39, James 37, Beaumont 32, Naas 27, Tallaght 29, Mater 26, Connolly 17, and Columcilles 12. Regional counts – which totalled 236 – included: Cork University Hospital 40, Cavan 33, Wexford General 29, Our Lady of Lourdes 22, Letterkenny 19, Mayo 17, Limerick 16, Mercy, Cork 15, Kerry 14 and UCHG 13.

The situation could worsen with news the winter vomiting virus has spread to 11 wards in St Vincent’s, having an impact on bed allocation and admissions.

The hospital is appealing to the public not to attend the Emergency Department if only complaining of the effects of the virus as it can spread to other, more seriously ill. Patients and for the public to avoid visiting patients.

Fine Gael Health Spokesperson, Dr Liam Twomey TD, accused the Tánaiste of abjectly failing to deal with the overcrowding crisis at hospital A&Es.

“If we needed proof that the A&E crisis is out of control the INO figures are just that,” he said.

“This situation is chaotic for the hospital staff struggling with winter vomiting outbreaks and attempting to give the best care possible to their patients. It is hellish for the patients, often elderly, waiting on trolleys in uncomfortable and hazardous conditions.

“And, with MRSA and other bugs proliferating, it is inviting a corresponding escalation of hospital acquired infections.”