Staff shortages in hospital leads to restrictions at CHI

CHILDREN’s Health Ireland at Tallaght, Crumlin and Temple Street is restricting some elective activity due to “extremely” high numbers of staff shortages.

On Tuesday, January 4, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) said that due to Covid-19 staff shortages it will be prioritising unplanned emergency and urgent care for the next 14 days.

CHI said that cancellations of admissions are being reviewed daily by hospitals, with patients affected being contacted directly.

The statement also noted that around 40 per cent of in-patients across CHI hospitals have Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), while others have the winter vomiting bug and other viral illnesses.

CHI said that cancelling elective procedures is necessary in providing care safely at this time for patients needing urgent or essential treatment and for staff to manage.

Ms Eilísh Hardiman, Chief Executive, Children’s Health Ireland, said: “All of our hospitals – CHI at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and the Urgent Care Centre at Connolly Hospital– continue to experience extreme pressures on services and staff.

“We fully appreciate cancelling any activity will impact our patients and families and cause distress, especially for those who have waited a long time for appointments – for that we are sorry.

“We need to ensure we can continue to deliver safe care.

“We are reviewing the situation daily and we hope to restore non-urgent services as soon as possible.

“We are working with the HSE on investment to improve access to care for patients on waiting lists.”

CHI has stressed that all emergency departments remain open, with the Urgent Care Unit at Tallaght open and operating, 24/7.  All out-patient appointments will also proceed as scheduled.

Dr Ciara Martin, Clinical Director at CHI, said: “We would like to reassure parents and families that our EDs and Urgent Care Centre are open, however patients attending will likely experience delays.

“If your child is seriously ill or you are worried that their life may be at risk, please attend your nearest ED and we will assess and treat your child as a priority.

“Please consider community services such as your GP or pharmacy if suitable before you attend one of our hospitals.

“Our staff are working hard to manage this busy period and we are grateful for their commitment to safe patient care.”

Further information and advice is available at childrenshealthireland.ie