42 patients left on trolleys in Tallaght Hospital

42 patients left on trolleys in Tallaght Hospital

By Mary Dennehy

THE number of patients on trolleys in Tallaght Hospital jumped to 42 on Wednesday of this week, as the hospital continues to cope with more than 400 additional A&E patients per month.

This week the local healthy facility experienced a significant jump in the number of people on trolleys, with INMO (Irish Nurses and Midwife Organisation) recording 23 patients on trolleys on Monday, 30 on Tuesday and 42 on Wednesday.

Hospital trolley waiting stock img

According to reports, 13 patients were also left lying on a trolley more than one day as they waited for a bed.

When asked if there were bed closures at the local facility, Tallaght Hospital said: “While there are no beds closed due to staff vacancies, a number of beds are periodically unavailable due to infection control reasons [such as] flu or norovirus at Tallaght Hospital.

“The Emergency Department remains very busy, with visiting restrictions still in place.”

Overall, emergency department attendance at Tallaght Hospital are up by on average 10 per cent per month, which equates to more than 400 additional patients per month.

When asked about the number of people over the age of 75 attending, many of whom have more complex medical needs and require admission, the hospital said: “With regard to the number of people aged 75 or over, the hospital in 2016 experienced a 27 per cent increase in admissions in November and 28 per cent in December compared to the previous year.

“And a 63 per cent increase in the first two weeks [of January of this year].”

To keep up to date with hospital advice and restrictions visit www.tallaghthospital.ie 

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