The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has criticized Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, accusing him of deflecting attention from the overcrowding crisis in Irish hospitals. This comes after the INMO recorded 574 people on trolleys across the country, while the Health Service Executive (HSE) reported 406 people in Emergency Departments (ED) and wards.
Minister Donnelly acknowledged the high numbers and expressed concern over the situation, but also challenged the figures provided by the INMO. He claimed that the INMO’s count includes both patients on trolleys and patients in beds, referring to surge beds in fully staffed wards. He emphasized that progress is being made, with nearly one-third of emergency departments having no patients on trolleys and a 22% reduction in trolleys over the past six months.
However, the INMO spokesperson defended the organization’s methodology and the accuracy of its figures. They stated that the TrolleyWatch count, which includes admitted patients on trolleys, chairs, and other inappropriate bed spaces, has remained unchanged since 2006. The spokesperson refuted any suggestion that the figures are inaccurate and accused the Minister and the HSE of attempting to discredit the work of nurses. They called on the Minister and senior HSE officials to prioritize addressing the dire overcrowding situation in Irish hospitals.
The ongoing dispute between the INMO and the Minister highlights the critical issue of overcrowding in Irish hospitals. While Minister Donnelly acknowledges the problem, the INMO insists that their figures reflect the true state of overcrowding. As the debate continues, patients continue to suffer from inadequate conditions and delays in receiving necessary care. The pressure remains on the government and healthcare authorities to take effective measures to alleviate the overcrowding crisis and ensure the well-being of patients across the country.
