The number of patients on trolleys in Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency Department increased almost 45% last month.
Figures show there were 136 people without a bed at the hospital during August. During the same period last year, 61 patients were on a trolley.
In response to a question from Councillor Ciaran Brogan at yesterday’s Regional Health Forum West meeting who asked what steps were being taken to address delays at Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency Department, the Saolta University Health Care Group said a number of processes were in place to tackle the issue.
27,879 people presented at the ED during August 2021, that’s up 11% when compared to figures from last month when 31,077 people attended. The number of admissions to the ED has increased 8%. 422 people were admitted to the ED in August 2022.
Anne Cosgrove, COO of the Saolta University Health Care Group says pathways have been introduced to improve the patients experience in the ED. They include; a community intervention team, a local injury unit, a chest pain pathway, the employment of an additional porter, a Patient Advice & Liaison Service, a frailty at the front door service, the Pathfinders Project and a Stable Upper GI Bleed initiative.
