Patients Waiting on Trolleys Double

THE number of patients on trolleys in Dublin hospitals in the first two weeks of December was almost double that during the same period in 2006, it was claimed yesterday.

The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) blamed the 89 per cent rise on health service cutbacks implemented since September.

The INO also claimed 365 people were forced to lie on trolleys this morning around the country compared to 299 yesterday.

INO general secretary Liam Doran said he was concerned at the very worrying deterioration in the figures. The INO has sought an immediate meeting of the Accident & Emergency Forum which comprises the HSE and all health sector unions, to agree emergency measures to alleviate overcrowding.

Mr Doran said: The figures are most disappointing and will be a source of serious concern to patients, their relatives and friends, and the nursing and other support staff.

One of the most disappointing aspects of this development is that it was entirely predictable the moment the HSE imposed cutbacks and restrictions upon the very measures which have been brought forward, by agreement, in the past 12 to 18 months to alleviate A&E overcrowding.

The INO figures compared the numbers waiting on trolleys during the 14 working days between December 1 and 20, 2006 and 2007.

There was a 9 per cent decrease in the number of people on trolleys in hospitals outside of Dublin for the same period.

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