With 500 people languishing  on trolleys, government urged to prioritise action on bed crisis

With 500 people languishing on trolleys, government urged to prioritise action on bed crisis

THE terms of reference for a planned review on bed capacity in hospitals have yet to be set, despite a “trolley crisis worsening”, according to Sinn Féin Senator Máire Devine.

Health Minister Simon Harris ordered a review of bed capacity in hospitals in October.

St James Hospital protest 24 November 2016

However, Senator Devine, a former South Dublin County councillor and mental health nurse, said it is “disgraceful” that the terms of the review have yet to be set.

Senator Devine said: “It is very clear that Government inaction on the crisis in our emergency departments and acute hospitals is resulting in worsening trolley and overcrowding figures. Indeed, while this crisis worsens, the bed-capacity review is still in limbo.

“We have heard much of the bed capacity review by the Government, particularly in the last month, yet in a parliamentary question to me on Thursday, Minister Harris confirmed that the parameters and terms of reference for the review have yet to be determined. This is disgraceful.”

Senator Devine says over 500 people were recently languishing in overcrowded hospital departments nationwide, and has called for the terms of reference of the review to be delivered “as a matter of priority.”

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