THERE are fears winter chaos is on the way as the number of people waiting on trolleys in Letterkenny University Hospital has been steadily rising this week.
There were almost 50 people waiting on a trolley at LUH yesterday, up from 23 at the same time last week.
Of the 47 patients, 16 were on trolleys in the emergency department and 31 were on a ward. There were 42 people waiting on trolleys at the hospital on Tuesday and 41 on Monday.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called for meaningful and targeted interventions to prevent another winter of out of control overcrowding and cancellations of elective procedures.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said, “Over 1,710 patients have been without a bed so far this week. These figures speak for themselves.
We are facing into yet another completely predictable winter crisis unless urgent action is taken.
“The number of children under the age of sixteen on trolleys has been steadily increasing this month, with over 91 young patients without a bed since the beginning of September.
“As the Dáil returns from its summer break today, the political system must intervene in the now predictable overcrowding which faces our members and their patients this winter.”
The INMO has called on Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly to publish a fully funded winter plan to coincide with the publication of Budget 2023.
“We cannot wait for this situation to get worse until we see meaningful and targeted interventions,” added Ms Ní Sheaghdha.
“Over the coming months, we cannot see any obstruction when it comes to recruitment and retention measures. Nursing and midwifery vacancies need to be filled so that patients get the care they need.
“Unless action is taken now to stem the worst of overcrowding, we will be sleepwalking into another winter of crisis for our members and their patients.”
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