Hospital overcrowding “beyond anything ever seen before” – INMO


The INMO says conditions in Emergency Departments and the level of overcrowding in the country’s hospitals are beyond anything ever seen before.
Last month, was the worst ever month for hospital overcrowding according to latest statistics published by the INMO.
When the January figures are collated, there were 12,201 patients awaiting admission at hospitals across the country last month, 671 of those at Letterkenny University Hospital.
Record numbers of patients were waiting on trolleys at Letterkenny University Hospital last month, according to the INMOs Trolley Plus Ward Ward Analysis for January.
671 people were waiting on a bed at the hospital last month, over double the figure for the same period in 2006.
The Full Capacity Protocol that was implemented at Letterkenny University Hospital on 27th December remains in place.
Saolta say the hospital has experienced unprecedented numbers of patients attending the Emergency Department from late December and throughout last month.
INMO’s General Secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha says: “This is an incredible level of overcrowding and the appalling conditions experienced in Emergency Departments are now beyond anything ever seen.”
She added that “It now amounts to a humanitarian crisis for patients and a risk rich environment for those trying to work in such chaotic conditions”.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement