Overcrowding in A&E units set to increase
Overcrowding in accident and emergency departments will continue until capacity in hospitals is increased by 2,000 to 3,000 beds to produce an occupancy rate of less than 85%, the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine has said.
The association, which represents consultants working in emergency departments, said the issue of capacity would not be addressed simply by greater health-service efficiencies.
It stated that international research had shown that once occupancy rates exceed 85% there will be regular occasions on which no beds are available for patients requiring admission.
The association said the fundamental issue is a lack of capacity in the health service in terms of beds, access to diagnostics and access to specialist and community services.
"There is a debate currently as to whether there is an absolute or relative shortage of beds in the system. This is irrelevant to the patient lying on a trolley in an emergency department. The fact remains that there is not a bed available for them when they need it.
"More efficient use of beds requires increased access to specialist diagnostics, specialist out-patient services and to community care," it stated.
Persistent overcrowding in emergency departments resulted in patients having confidential medical histories taken within earshot of other people.
The association also said the inability of emergency departments to adequately carry out their primary function had a negative impact on the morale of medical, nursing and ancillary staff.
