The typical trolley crisis in the winter has become a year-round problem and must be addressed in 2024, according to Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane.
The Irish Nurses & Midwife Organisation (INMO) reported over 121,500 patients have gone without a bed in hospitals across the country this year, although the HSE disputes this figure.
Deputy Cullinane said regardless of the exact figure, there is a “real crisis in our hospitals”.
“The challenge is that what used to be a winter trolley crisis is now an all-year-round problem,” he told The Anton Savage Show.
“Many patients, as we know are waiting a long number of hours, in some over 24 hours and in some cases again, a number of days.
“It's obviously not the best way to deliver care.”
'Wider lens'
Deputy Cullinane pointed out there are hospitals in Waterford, Kilkenny and other counties that have seen a “marked improvement” and should become an example to others.
“I know in the case of Waterford while there are capacity problems with beds, there was a very good team relationship between nurses, consultants, junior doctors and so on,” he said.
“Doctors were volunteering to work longer hours over weekends, on their own merits... having people who can make decisions working longer was important.”
Deputy Cullinane also said if the health service doesn’t have the beds, they need to use a “wider lens” to figure out how they can accommodate people.
“Don’t just look at what's happening in each hospital because undoubtedly there are capacity problems, but you have to look at what's happening outside of the hospitals,” he said.
“If you don't have the reverse GP care, if we're not making the best use of pharmacies, all the problems and challenges create more tensions and more problems in our emergency departments.”
'We're all sinking'
Donegal GP and IMO member Denis McCauley said, however, the trolley crisis is simply a matter of getting more beds.
“We're way below the European average,” he said. “And one in five consultant posts are not filled.
“No matter how well you move the deck chairs around the Titanic, we’re all still sinking.”
Get 'realistic' about the trolley crisis
Dr McCauley said the State has to “step back and get realistic” about funding infrastructure and keeping healthcare workers in the country.
“David mentioned consultants can come in and work extra hours, but you can’t do that all the time,” he said.
“Praising heroic work in one hospital and then almost telling other hospitals they're not doing heroic work is not going to solve this issue.”
The IMO is expected to call a ballot for industrial action in the New Year in response to the recruitment freeze announced recently.
