Over 1,500 patients were left on trolleys in Letterkenny University Hospital in the first four months of 2017.
New figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) have shown an alarming growth in patients waiting on trolleys in the hospital.
Upon hearing the figures, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher called again for a full review of all hospital services from current staffing numbers to the overall budget for the hospital to be carried out independently from management.
The figures show an alarming rise in waiting times for beds and services in the hospital. 1,676 patients have been left waiting for beds so far this year in comparison to 2016 which had 496 people by this time, while in 2011 there were only 178 people waiting.
Pat the Cope has publicly challenged the minister to address the crises and to take leadership on the matter, stating that his response so far has been a “complete failure.”
“It is more obvious now than ever before that current and existing strategies by both the HSE and the Minister are failing to deal with the crises at Letterkenny Hospital,” said Pat the Cope.
Over 300 patients were waiting to be seen in the month of April alone, compared to only 41 patients for the same period in 2016.
“The hospital staff are working in very challenging circumstances and require additional support, the Government needs to provide the additional resources and staff to improve their work environment.”
Pat the Cope said that the Minister for Health Simon Harris was in complete denial of the extent of the problem despite visiting the hospital himself. “On the last two occasions in which a debate on the hospital took place in Dáíl Eireann the Minister failed to turn up” said Pat the Cope.
The hospital requires “extra nursing staff, extra bed capacity and the immediate appointment of a second breast surgeon, endocrinologist, extra diabetes support staff to mention but a few of the outstanding appointments.” Pat the Cope concluded by asking for a full review of the hospital to be carried out immediately and independently from the hospital.
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