Heartbreak in A&E

LAST Monday night, I watched the RTÉ Prime Time programme on the state of A&E departments with my 83-year-old grandfather.

I am appalled at what is happening to the most vulnerable people in our hospitals. It now seems elderly people are afraid to go to A&E to get essential treatment, and with good reason.

We listened to patients’ heartbreaking stories of waiting on trolleys or plastic chairs for up to four days and nights in extreme discomfort.