THE number of people waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) more than doubled in the space of a week, according to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The INMO’s trolley watch data shows that 27 people were waiting on trolleys at the hospital on Monday when LUH was the third most overcrowded hospital in the country. On Tuesday the hospital issued a warning that the emergency department was seeing record levels of attendances.

Speaking to the Donegal News this week INMO Deputy General Secretary David Hughes said they were very concerned about overcrowding at LUH.

“The INMO have expressed serious concern at the increasing prevalence of overcrowding at Letterkenny University Hospital and the severe shortage of nursing and midwifery staff there,” said Mr Hughes.

“We’re calling for the urgent recruitment of nurses and midwives across Letterkenny Hospital. The staffing pressures around Covid-19 are unique and significant. Without extra staff we are looking at continued staffing shortages and unsafe hospital environments.

“We are also calling for zero tolerance of overcrowding in Irish hospitals. Overcrowding in our hospitals is unacceptable any time, but even more so when dealing with a contagious virus. Covid-19 poses huge risks to patient and staff safety. Adequate staffing levels must be in place to account for surges, illness, and staff fatigue.

“Lastly, we are calling on management at Letterkenny University Hospital to immediately conduct specific Covid-19 risk assessments as is required by law and to share those risk assessments with workplace safety representatives and the INMO. The INMO has recently raised these very serious health and safety concerns with management at the hospital.

“The Health and Safety Authority has echoed those concerns and had already written to HSE CEO Paul Reid seeking compliance with the Health and Safety Act and the Biological Agents Directive which requires special Covid-19 risk assessments in all acute hospitals. This must also apply to Letterkenny University Hospital.

“With rising trolley figures also in the picture, Letterkenny is stretched and under pressure. Staff and patients must be protected. We cannot see a return to hospital corridors lined with patients on trolleys.”

Saolta apologised for the long waiting times at the hospital this week.

A spokesperson for the healthcare group said: “Given the volume of patients attending the Emergency Department, the hospital is asking the public to only present at the ED if they are in need of emergency medical treatment. The hospital is asking people to contact their GP during normal surgery hours or the NoWDOC GP Out of Hours service in the first instance if their health problem is not urgent.

“The hospital is committed to treating everyone who presents at the ED; people are seen and treated strictly in order of medical priority.

“As part of the hospital’s Covid-19 measures, patients should wait in the ED alone to help maintain social distancing. A companion will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. This is to minimise the risk of infection and to keep everyone safe.

“Patients are asked to please wear a face covering/mask when in the ED and to comply with any COVID-19 screening processes.”