Drunk patient who discharged himself from CUH later found unconscious outside A&E

There were a number of alcohol-related incidents recorded at Cork University Hospital over the four-day weekend that followed St Patrick’s Day this year. Picture: Clare Keogh/Provision

A patient who discharged himself from Cork University Hospital (CUH)against medical advice after drinking on St Patrick’s Day was discovered unconscious a short time later in the set-down area outside the emergency department.

The man still had a cannula and a blood pressure cuff on his hand, and ECG leads for monitoring his heart were still attached to his chest when he was found lying on the ground by hospital staff.