1,016 on trolleys in Tullamore this year

Almost 1,000 more patients had to wait on trolleys in Tullamore hospital during the first six months of 2011 than the same period in 2006, when the then Minister for Health Mary Harney declared the situation nationally to be in a state of emergency. Figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) this week show that 46 patients were left to wait on trolleys in the hospital during the first six months of 2006. This year the corresponding figure is a massive 1,016. "The increase is shocking for Tullamore," Industrial Relations Officer with the INMO Lorraine Monaghan said this week. "The situation has gotten so much worse." Tullamore's six month tally actually decreased from the 2006 total of 46 to 27 in 2007. The following year saw another decrease, bringing the number of patients left waiting on trolleys to twelve. This increased to 51 for the first six months of 2009. The figures exploded in the last two years however, with 269 patients left on trolleys from January to June 2010, rising to 1,016 for the same period this year. The picture is similar in Mullingar, with a figure of 71 in 2006 rising dramatically to 1,445 this year. Portlaoise has fared a little better. Beginning with a 249 patients on trolleys for the first six months of 2006, this year that figure has risen to 719. Nationally this year over 46,000 people had to wait on trolleys after being admitted to hospital, a jump of 20% on the same period last year. The INMO maintain these figures aren't even the full story, and argue the true extent of the problem would show as greater if it wasn't for increasing attempts by hospital management to hide the level of overcrowding by putting extra beds on already crowded wards. Ms Monaghan explains the increasing figures can be explained by bed closures leading to increased waiting lists and patients then presenting at A&E departments. "At the end of the day it's the patient who's suffering," Ms Monaghan told the Offaly Independent. "They have to endure the long wait for a hospital bed." Speaking out against the idea of emergency department closures, Ms Monaghan said hospitals that retained services would already be "overcrowded and overworked" and "wouldn't be able to take the extra numbers". "A&E overcrowding is out of control," she said. The INMO is now calling on the Health Minister to get a handle on the situation by calling for a national summit where all initiatives could be heard. The organisation is also pushing for the development of nurse-led services, where a nurse can take on some of the current work of the NCHD (Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor). "We've been saying that there's scope for advancement of the nursing role for a long time," Ms Monaghan said. "It would require the Department and the HSE to look at the nursing role and areas where nurses can advance in the role and take on other duties." Yesterday according to the INMO three patients were on trolleys in Tullamore hospital.