Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Deputy Pearse Doherty has warned that recent surges in patient demand at Letterkenny’s Emergency Department risk plunging the hospital into yet another overcrowding crisis unless greater resources are made available to help tackle the problem.
Deputy Doherty’s comments come after the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show that, following a spike in service demand over the summer months, the hospital’s overcrowding figure – the number of patients forced to wait on trolleys, beds and additional bedding – has now climbed to 860 for 2016 so far.
Commenting on the figures, Deputy Doherty said, “These latest overcrowding figures from Letterkenny’s Emergency Department are very worrying and they demonstrate a clear need for increased resources to be allocated to the facility if the problem is to be properly addressed.
“The IMNO’s Trolley and Ward Watch data shows that 860 patients were placed on trolleys, chairs and additional bedding so far this year at the hospital while over the summer months, we have witnessed management having to implement a number of emergency measures including capacity protocols and the cancellation of non-elective surgeries such was the pressure on the unit.
“Only last week, I contacted hospital management to raise concerns regarding overcrowding and also to make inquiries about the measures which the hospital was taking to meet present service demand.
“Management has confirmed to me that the recent challenges placed on services due to heightened activity levels, increased presentations to A&E, as well as maximum capacity having been reached by all critical care beds in ICU, CCU, and HDU, have forced the hospital to take such drastic action in order to treat patients in a timely manner.
“This has included the deferral of all non-cancer related scheduled care admissions; increased collaboration with step-down and community care service providers; the prioritisation and expedition of discharges, as well as advising people to avoid the Emergency Department unless absolutely necessary.
“In the past number of days, I have been contacted by constituents who have raised very serious concerns about the hospital’s ability to cope with current demands. This included one person who spoke of having witnessed patients in A&E being forced to wait up to four hours to be seen as ambulance personnel were unable to offload patients due to delays in having them admitted to the facility.
“Clearly additional resources are required if the hospital is to effectively meet the needs of patients and in order to cope with the many pressures which are placing the facility on the path to yet another overcrowding crisis if not properly addressed.
“For far too long during times of high demand, the hospital has relied on a combination of the exceptional diligence of its staff, as well as the good will and understanding of the public, and this is exactly the message which I will relay to the Minister once the Dáil resumes in the coming days.”
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