The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO ) last evening urged the HSE to take immediate action to avoid a post-Easter trolley surge.
The call comes as some of the highest overcrowding figures in the country were recorded at University Hospital Galway this week.
The third and fourth highest numbers of patients awaiting beds was reported at the west’s biggest hospital since Monday, according to the INMO’s Trolley Watch figures.
There were 59 people awaiting beds (45 in the emergency department (ED ) and 14 in wards ) yesterday (Wednesday ) at UHG. This was the third highest figure in the country after University Hospital Limerick which had the biggest number at 98, followed by Cork University Hospital at 73.
UHG ranked third again in terms of overcrowding on Tuesday with 61 patients awaiting beds (47 in the ED and 14 in wards elsewhere ). Limerick had the highest numbers of overcrowding in the country followed by Cork at 89 and 64 respectively.
Galway was the fourth highest overcrowded hospital on Monday with 43 patients (34 in the ED and nine in wards ) waiting for beds. It followed Limerick at 99, Cork at 78, and Letterkenny at 47.
The INMO wants the HSE to take “specific steps” prior to the bank holiday weekend to avoid overcrowding. The organisation’s request came as 582 patients nationally were admitted to hospital without having access to a bed on Wednesday.
The INMO, in a recent meeting with senior HSE management, set out a number of actions which could be taken to alleviate pressure on hospital beds. It is awaiting the health authority’s response.
“Our members are concerned at the very high levels of overcrowding leading into the Easter period,” said the INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha.
“We know that after every bank holiday there is a predictable surge in the number of people on trolleys. Therefore, all efforts to increase discharges, including over the long weekend period, must be undertaken. Where it is available, additional capacity must be obtained from the private sector and alternative care pathways in the community must be utilised.”
Her comments came as the INMO revealed that hospital overcrowding figures reached record highs in March.
A total of 12,943 admitted patients, including 447 children, were treated on trolleys or chairs nationally last month, according to the nurses’ union. Analysis by the INMO shows that more than 69,417 people were without a bed in the period covered by the HSE’s winter plan.
Ms Ní Sheaghdha said this was the worst March for overcrowding since the INMO began counting trolleys in 2006.
“In some hospitals the level of overcrowding we have seen has been out of control and cannot be allowed to continue into the spring and summer months.
“More people than ever have been on trolleys during the health service’s winter period (October to March ) with just under 70,000 people on trolleys during this period. It is time for the HSE and Department of Health to devise a multi-annual plan as to how we tackle overcrowding. It is clear that it is no longer just a winter overcrowding crisis but a year-long one.”
She stated the State cannot expect nurses to bear the brunt of the crisis and work in constantly overcrowded and understaffed wards all year round.
“Nurses want to be able to carry out the high quality care that they have been trained to do but cannot provide in these circumstances. There must be a change in mindset in how we approach this overcrowding crisis across from senior decision-makers from hospital management to HSE senior management levels. The INMO has sought to meet with the HSE to discuss these issues.”
