Patients on trolleys double in a year, claim Dublin nurses
The number of patients on trolleys in Dublin hospitals in the first two weeks of December was almost double that during the same period in 2006, it was claimed today.
The Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) blamed the 89% rise on health service cutbacks implemented since September.
The INO also claimed 365 people were forced to lie on trolleys this morning around the country compared to 299 yesterday.
INO general secretary Liam Doran said he was concerned at the "very worrying deterioration in the figures".
The INO has sought an immediate meeting of the Accident & Emergency Forum which comprises the HSE and all health sector unions, to agree emergency measures to alleviate overcrowding.
Mr Doran said: "The figures are most disappointing and will be a source of serious concern to patients, their relatives and friends, and the nursing and other support staff.
"One of the most disappointing aspects of this development is that it was entirely predictable the moment the HSE imposed cutbacks and restrictions upon the very measures which have been brought forward, by agreement, in the past 12 to 18 months to alleviate A&E overcrowding."
The INO figures compared the numbers waiting on trolleys during the 14 working days between December 1 and 20, 2006 and 2007.
There was a 9% decrease in the number of people on trolleys in hospitals outside of Dublin for the same period.
Reacting to the figures, the Labour Party called on the Government to lift a recruitment embargo and fill outstanding vacancies in the health system immediately.
Health spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan urged the government to implement outstanding recommendations of the A&E Task Force, which reported over a year ago.
"Neither staff not patients should have to endure the conditions still being experienced in many of our A&E units," she added.
The INO said the cutbacks were a short term money-saving measure which took no account of the impact of the cuts on patients.
"People now find themselves on trolleys and/or spending unnecessary periods in an acute bed when they could be discharged home or transferred to another, more appropriate, care environment," Mr Doran added.
Fine Gael warned that the overcrowding would also lead to further cancelled operations and increased waiting lists and accused Minister for Health Mary Harney of continuing to bury her head in the sand.
Spokesman Dr James Reilly added: “At the heart of this vicious circle is years of failed Government policy under Fianna Fáil and the PDs.”
The HSE later dismissed claims that it was ignoring A&E overcrowding and it blamed the Winter Vomiting Bug (Norovirus) for impacting on the efficiency of a number of hospitals.
“The HSE is absolutely committed to continuing to reduce waiting times and numbers within Emergency Departments,” a spokesman said.
“This commitment is clearly visible in the establishment of the Winter Initiative in 2006 which provides a combined community and hospital focus to ED improvements.
“It is also clearly visible in the improvements that have occurred throughout the last two years in both the numbers waiting and in the greatly reduced waiting times. These improvements were steadfastly maintained throughout 2007.”
The HSE claimed the average daily number of patients waiting on a trolley has fallen year on year from 115 in 2006 to 93 last year.
