At the recent Dublin Mid Leinster Regional Health Forum, local Councillor Charlie O’Connor called for an immediate and effective action on the unacceptable delays being experienced at the Emergency Department of Tallaght University Hospital. He requested confirmation of plans to deal with the situation where the Hospital say “they have more patients over 75 than ever before” and to clarify if the Emergency Department has new staff been appointed to deal with this crisis and should the hospital not start direct discussions with Geriatricians to improve patient flow.
In the response obtained by Cllr Charlie O’ Connor the following was reported “Tallaght University Hospital apologises for delays experienced whilst waiting in our Emergency Department (ED), the department is continuing to experience a very high number of attendances. We are committed to treating everyone who presents to our ED however we do so strictly in order of medical priority. There are a number of reasons that patients are experiencing longer wait times at TUH, this includes a marked increase in the number of attendances. In the first quarter of 2022 our presentations have been up by 7% (that is 1,152 patients attending). We have also had some staff vacancies within the medical team in ED, we have recruited additional medical staff for the July intake”.
The reply continued “Once a decision is made to admit we have been experiencing delays in moving patients to wards as the Hospital is operating at full occupancy and have a limited number of single inpatient rooms. The Hospital is finalising a strategic assessment report which validates the need for an additional 72 acute inpatient beds, all single rooms. The addition of this bed capacity will improve patient experience times in ED.
Over the past 12 months the hospital have had access to an additional 36 beds through Tymon Community Unit. As well as this an additional 12 beds are due to open in Quarter 3 and there is ongoing work with Peamount Healthcare who are providing access to rehabilitation beds which is assisting the hospital with patient flow. In addition, the Hospital is continuing to work closely with CHO7 on the implementation of the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons which aims to improve the life of older persons by providing access to integrated care and support that is planned around their needs and choices, supporting them to live well in their own homes and communities. This will support the timely care and treatment of older persons who attend our hospital and their follow up care in the community”.
“While this work is welcomed the Hospital continues to experience some delays in the timely discharge of patients who are medically fit but cannot be discharged due to the ongoing challenges associated with accessing carers in the community. These home care hours are fully funded, however there are issues accessing Health Care assistants. The Hospital is working closely with their colleagues in the community to address these delays. There will be a further expansion of our acute floor project in July 2022. The adult service will have additional space within the ED following the move of CHI’s Childrens ED to a new purpose built urgent care centre on the campus. The acute floor development will have a dedicated acute frailty unit which will come under the clinical governance of a geriatrician and will be supported by therapy and nursing staff and this is fully supported by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group”.
