THE number of people waiting for beds in Letterkenny hospital last month was the second highest March figure since records began.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said nationally the level of overcrowding in some hospitals was “out of control” and could not be allowed to continue into the summer.
The INMO launched its ‘Trolley Watch’ in 2006. In March of that year 228 people in Letterkenny waited on trolleys to be admitted.
Last month’s figure of 534 was more than double that.
Only 2022 was busier. Then there were 781 people on trolleys, making the hospital the third most overcrowded in Ireland.
On several occasions last month Letterkenny University Hospital was forced to send out an email warning people attending the emergency department to prepare themselves for a lengthy wait.
In a missive posted on March 20 hospital group Saolta revealed that 203 people had sought help in accident and emergency – a record number of attendances for a single day.
Letterkenny was one of the busiest hospitals in the country again on Friday with 32 people on trolleys.
INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that across all counties 12,943 admitted patients, including 447 children, were treated on trolleys or chairs in March.
“This has been the worst March for overcrowding since the INMO began counting trolleys in 2006,” said Ms Ní Sheaghdha.
“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.
“Our analysis on the success of the HSE’s Winter Plan, which ended on Friday, has shown that 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.”
Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the pressure being foisted upon nurses and other hospital staff was simply unsustainable.
“The state cannot expect nurses to bear the brunt of the crisis and work at full tilt in constantly overcrowded and understaffed wards 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.”
Ms Ní Sheaghdha added that the INMO has sought a meeting with the HSE to discuss the ongoing issues.
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