Action needed to avoid summer trolley crisis

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has said unless urgent action is taken we will be facing into a summer trolley crisis.

This comes as 524 patients are on trolleys today, July 1st.

7,989 patients were treated on a trolley, chair or in another inappropriate bed space in June.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha described the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy as “counterproductive.” 

“It is extremely concerning that 524 patients are being treated on a trolley, chair or in another inappropriate bed space on July 1st.

“Unless there is intense work to build community services, including an increase in public health nursing, community nursing and home help services we will be facing into a serious trolley crisis for the rest of summer heading into autumn.

“Nurses and their union should not have to be warning about trolley overcrowding in the height of summer when there are no traditional viral infections circulating.

“The HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy is working against developing community services and is counterproductive when it comes to alternative care pathways.

“The HSE must outline what steps they are taking to radically reduce overcrowding in each hospital.”