CUH sees record overcrowding

A Cork TD has slammed the conditions faced by patients at CUH after the hospital experienced its highest ever levels of overcrowding this week.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North-Central Thomas Gould said the record number of 98 sick patients left without a bed at CUH on Tuesday was a direct result of the Government’s failure to properly resource the health service.

“A recruitment embargo and a failure to invest in CUH has now left us with a situation whereby vulnerable, sick people are being treated in inappropriate settings at record levels,” Deputy Gould said.

He also pointed out that a number of beds remain closed off at the Heather House Community Nursing Unit in Gurranabraher.

“I know that there are people in hospitals waiting to be discharged who cannot leave because of a lack of nursing home beds,” he said.

“Nobody should be forced to receive treatment on a trolley. Where is the respect for people’s dignity?” he added.

On Tuesday, figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) confirmed that CUH had twice the number of patients waiting on trolleys compared to the next highest hospital, University Hospital Galway, which had 49.

The only hospital with a higher figure than CUH was University Hospital Limerick with 118.In January, the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) warned that the emergency department at CUH was operating at over 300% capacity.

INMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations for the Southern region, Colm Porter said: “The number of patients being treated on trolleys, chairs, and other inappropriate bed spaces in CUH is gravely concerning.

“Despite their best efforts to ensure safe care, our members are facing overwhelming patient numbers in the emergency department, further compounded by a staffing shortage worsened by the HSE’s ongoing recruitment freeze.” he said.

This situation is putting immense pressure on timely healthcare delivery,” added Mr Porter.

With winter approaching, Mr Ported is calling on the HSE South West to outline what steps they are taking today to reduce the severe congestion in CUH’s emergency department and how they plan to increase capacity in the community.

He continued: “With over 14 patients on trolleys in Mercy University Hospital, clearly there is no release valve left with patients on trolleys in the ED and across wards in both major hospitals in the city – we need immediate de-escalation, a focus on discharge and curtailment of admissions.”

Labour candidate for Cork South West, Evie Nevin, strongly condemned the overcrowding crisis at CUH.

“The situation at CUH is a direct consequence of neglect. Patients who no longer need hospital care are forced to remain there because their homes are unsuitable or there is inadequate home care available. This is not just a failure of healthcare but of housing policy as well,” said Ms Nevin.