Fianna Fáil Dublin Spokesperson has said that the current overcrowding being experienced in some of the country’s leading hospitals, based in Dublin is deeply worrying and must be addressed before the winter months set in. The Deputy was commenting following the publication of a memo sent from the hospital’s emergency consultant Dr James Gray to Health Minister Simon Harris and other members of the Oireachtas including Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Health, Billy Kelleher.
The Dublin South -West TD said, “Some of Ireland’s major teaching hospitals in Dublin are currently dealing with excessive overcrowding and it is having a detrimental impact of the provision of care and ED services. “Figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives’ Organisation indicate that the Mater Hospital experienced one of the highest levels of overcrowding across the country in the month of August with over 400 people left on trolleys.
“All the while, Tallaght remains one of the most overcrowded hospitals in the country. He added, “These figures expose the crisis that is occurring within our Capital’s health system is getting progressively worse as we approach the winter months when the incidence of influenza and other kinds of infection are higher. “The health system cannot cope with any further escalation in the number of people receiving care on trolleys. It is already at breaking point, winter is en-route and Minister Harris still has no comprehensive plan to tackle overcrowding in Dublin hospitals.
“The frightening reality is that worse is to come unless the Minister and his Department deals with the root causes of escalating overcrowding. “It is clear that the Minister must provide a commitment to detail what measures will be introduced to alleviate the current overcrowding and what will be done to avoid any further escalation ahead of the winter when more patients will be in need of admission. Lahart concluded, “Actions must be taken now to address the concerns of those across Dublin regarding the provision of care in the Capital’s six
ospitals.”
