A&E Overcrowding has Reached Record High in Tallaght Hospital

Press Release from the Irish Nurses Organisation

A&E overcrowding has reached a record high with 73 patients on trolleys in TallaghtHospital yesterday morning, Tuesday 28th April. This is the highest number recorded for any single hospital since the INO commenced monitoring and recording A&E overcrowding though ‘trolley watch’. This morning there are 68 patients on trolleys awaiting beds in the hospital. The average number of people on trolleys per day in April has increased to 49.5 compared with 32.5 this time last year, up 52%.

INO concerns were highlighted in a letter to the CEO, two weeks ago. However hospital management have chosen to ignore the matter, allowing the problem to fester and reach deplorable levels.

According to INO Industrial Relations Officer, Lorraine Monaghan:

“The A&E Department is bursting at the seams. The physical infrastructure of the Department and the physical ability of staff to provide care, cannot possibly meet the demands and the pressures that exist at present.

Patients are suffering in undignified and inhumane conditions where they have no space, no privacy, and no choice but to put up with what is akin to ‘third world conditions’. Trolleys are crammed together, blocking fire exits and overflowing out on to the corridors, creating a health and safety risk for patients and our members. The situation has deteriorated to such a degree that many patients are now being nursed on chairs for days, as all trolleys are in use.

INO members feel demoralised and powerless as their concerns fall on deaf ears, while they attempt to provide a safe standard of care, which is proving increasingly difficult.”

The INO has requested an urgent meeting with management to address this escalating problem. The Organisation will also be raising the deteriorating situation at the National A&E Forum meeting next Tuesday.

Finally the INO will undertake a national review, of A&E overcrowding, as part of the deliberations at its Annual Delegate Conference which takes place next week in Killarney, May 6th – 8th.