THE
Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called on the Health Service
Executive (HSE) to
“see the reality of cutbacks
? following overcrowding at
Beaumont Hospital last week.
Edward
Mathews, INMO Industrial Relations Officer, said urgent action was necessary to
ensure that patients who are fit to be discharged from the hospital have a
long-term bed where this is required.
“Further
action is needed to ensure that all available acute beds are opened immediately
to ease this extreme pressure which is extraordinarily unusual this time of
year,
? he said.
According
to the INMO, the cutbacks have caused 60 beds to remain closed while
“patients
languish in the Emergency Department awaiting a bed
?.
A
spokesman for Beaumont Hospital told Northside People that they were under
“significant
? pressure last week.
“The
number of people awaiting admission through the Emergency Department at 8pm –
the normal daily peak time – has varied between 19 and 37 this week, while the
numbers awaiting admission at 2pm has varied between 13 and 18,
? he said.
“The
hospital continues to manage the situation in a variety of ways, including the
use of beds in the day ward and implementation of the full capacity protocol at
one stage during the week.
?
The
spokesman said that Beaumont will work towards ensuring sustainable long-term
solutions to the difficulties of Emergency Department overcrowding.
“This
includes development of an Acute Medical Programme in the hospital which will
help to streamline patient treatment and reduce length of stay and working
closely with the HSE and the Special Delivery Unit at the Department of Health
on other initiatives,
? he explained.
“The
opening of additional long-stay capacity at the Community Nursing Unit at St
Joseph’s Hospital in Raheny will also help.
“Beaumont
currently has 81 patients no longer in need of an acute bed who are awaiting
transfer to a more appropriate nursing home or rehabilitation setting.
?
Dublin
North East TD Sean Kenny (Lab) said he was particularly concerned because the
overcrowding was occurring during the summer season when there is no surge in
admissions caused by seasonal illness.
“While
I am acutely aware of the tough economic climate, the hospital must be able to
cope with overcrowding and the facilities needed to help must also be provided
to Beaumont,
? he said.
Dublin
North East TD Terence Flanagan (FG) said he shared the concerns held by the
Irish Nurses and Midwives Association in relation to the level of overcrowding
at Beaumont Hospital.
“Urgent
action is now needed to alleviate the problem,
? he stated.
“Nurses
at Beaumont Hospital are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of patients
under extremely difficult conditions.
“We
must commend their efforts and work towards ensuring sustainable long-term
solutions to the difficulties emergency departments are experiencing.
?