Winter of discontent

THERE are fears that Beaumont Hospital could be facing into its worst A&E overcrowding crisis yet as winter fast approaches.

Last Thursday evening (October 22), the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) called for Beaumont Hospital to go ‘off call’ due to severe overcrowding.

In a statement, the union revealed that the hospital’s emergency department had 41 people awaiting an in-patient bed. It said that this number was extremely high for the time of the evening and looked set to increase further as the night progressed. 

The INMO was seeking for Beaumont Hospital to go ‘off call’ immediately for an extended period in order to bring the situation back under control. 

Of the 41 admitted patients, 18 were over the age of 75. The INMO claimed they had been forced to spend days on trolleys and chairs in “frantic, bright and noisy conditions” waiting for a bed to become available. 

I was asked yesterday why I “keep tweeting” #trolleywatch This is why: 18 Over-75s on trolleys in Beaumont acc @INMO_IRL

— Niamh Griffin (@griffinniamh) October 23, 2015

The department is also short two nurses and the union said it was impossible to provide a safe level of care to patients in these conditions.

INMO Industrial Relations Officer, Lorraine Monaghan, said: “It is unacceptable that in 2015 patients are subjected to such degrading, inhumane conditions when they are at their most vulnerable. This situation has continued to worsen with overcrowding levels up by 40 per cent in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period last year.” 

She added: “Our members are faced with intolerable workloads day in, day out, which is taking its toll, physically, mentally and emotionally. The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of nursing staff as the hospital cannot recruit or retain the numbers required. 

“These totally unacceptable and stressful conditions prevent the nursing staff from providing safe care and cannot be allowed to continue. Therefore, the hospital must go off call.”

Beaumont-Donaghmede councillor Denise Mitchell (SF) described the trolley situation at the hospital as “a total disgrace” and said it was quite clear that the Government’s health strategy was not working.

She criticised ongoing staff shortages and bed closures at the Northside hospital.

 “How can we expect the hospital to operate at an adequate level if we do not resource it adequately?” she asked.

Cllr Mitchell added: “Beaumont Hospital is now becoming the worst in the State when it comes to waiting lists and people on trolleys.”

She further warned: “As we approach the colder period we need to tackle this issue immediately or we are going to be in a much more serious position.”

In a statement, Beaumont Hospital acknowledged and regretted the “difficult conditions” experienced by patients and staff at its emergency department. It said the hospital has one of the busiest EDs in Ireland, providing services to over 50,000 patients each year.  

This year, according to the hospital, there had been a significant increase in attendances at the ED along with an older profile and a greater complexity of illness in patients presenting. 

The statement reads: “It is Beaumont Hospital’s practice to treat all patients with dignity and care. 

“Staff endeavour to free as many beds as possible to meet demand each day and over 60 people are expected to be discharged today (Friday).  

“Recruitment of specialist nurses is a recognised challenge internationally. Beaumont Hospital is actively working on a recruitment campaign with a number of large academic teaching hospitals in Dublin. This campaign is primarily targeted at recruiting specialist nurses, including ED nurses.” The statement added: “Beaumont Hospital also advertises externally for nursing positions on an ongoing basis in a variety of outlets, including the national newspapers, INMO magazines and various specialist journals. 

“Support packages are being offered to assist with costs such as registration and training fees. There are strict repayment conditions attached to these packages, which ensure the retention of specialist staff. 

“Beaumont Hospital is retaining and attracting a higher number of graduates. Of the 56 undergraduates who qualified from Beaumont in 2015, 46 accepted pre-registration positions and a further nine joined Beaumont from other hospitals.”

It concluded: “Beaumont Hospital is working closely with unions on a strategy to attract and retain additional nursing staff, which includes a national and local awareness and information campaign, overseas advertising and online engagement.”