Group reports increase in Emergency Dept patients, INMO calls figures 'catastrophic'
There has been an average 8.7% increase in the number of people attending hospital Emergency Departments in the six weeks to the middle of February.
The Emergency Department Taskforce Implementation Group, which met this morning, says despite the increase in attendances, there has been a fall of 2.2% in the number of people waiting on trolleys, when compared with the same period last year.
The group says the largest increases have been seen in Mayo, Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Drogheda, Waterford, Cavan, Letterkenny and Beaumont.
Some hospitals also report an increase in the number of people over 65 presenting in Emergency Departments.
However, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says there are 511 patients waiting on trolleys or in wards for admission to hospital today.
The INMO's Liam Doran said there is no sign of an improvement, saying: "Am I happy with the situation? Absolutely not, it's deplorable. I have no doubt our members are frustrated with everybody because they are in it now for the last 14 years and it's not getting better.
"It would be worse were we not doing what we've done in terms of the ED agreement, I'm absolutely, unequivocal about that.
"With 10% more coming to ED, the trolleys, they are actually gone down by 14%, but it's still catastrophic."
:
Mayo 20%,
Connolly Hospital 12%,
Drogheda 12%,
Waterford 11%,
Cavan 11%,
Letterkenny 15%
Beaumont Hospital 9%.
