FG: Govt has failed patients left on trolleys

The Department of Health is this morning urging people to keep Emergency Departments for genuine emergencies as the number of patients on trollies reached a record yesterday.

The Department said hospitals were experiencing a very busy time due to increased numbers of patients suffering seasonal illnesses, as well as those with Swine Flu.

It also confirmed that the HSE would be starting a programme aimed at streaming patients away from hospital emergency departments and into tailored treatment schemes,

Meanwhile Fine Gael has criticised the Health Minister Mary Harney for her silence on the matter.

Health spokesman for Fine Gael, Dr James Reilly, said the Government "has failed the hundreds of people left lying on trolleys".