IMO warns that record new trolley figures shows ‘depth of crisis’

Reacting to the figures the IMO President Dr Peadar Gilligan says that “the fact that 100,000 people have spent significant time on trolleys in Irish hospitals this year is shameful”.

New figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) showed that patients who have waited on trolleys or in wards for a hospital bed has exceeded 100,000 this year. The INMO has been collecting figures since 2004 and this year will now be the worst yet.

“100,000 patients in Ireland experienced an overnight wait for a ward bed on trolleys or chairs in crowded Emergency Departments already this year. A larger number than ever by this time of the year,” said Dr Gilligan.

“When will this national disgrace be definitively addressed? When will our Government stop telling us it cannot be addressed overnight?.

“Judging on the information released thus far, the HSE’s winter plan will not in any way improve the severely damaged morale amongst doctors and frontline staff, nor will it attract staff to work in a public health service that has no capacity, no supports and that is under constant pressure. “While any extra funding is welcome, this plan will not help us avoid the kind of overcrowding which we have seen in recent winters.”