We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has apologised to patients and staff affected by the rise in trolley numbers today.
There were 610 people on trolleys this morning, while 10,641 patients were on trolleys in Irish hospitals last month, according to a leading union.
The figures, from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), say that 101 of those waiting for a bed were children, and that September 2019 was the worst September for overcrowding on record.
This is double the number of people on waiting on trolleys for a bed ten years ago.
Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Varadkar acknowledged that overcrowding in Irish hospitals was “very severe this morning”.
“I apologise to the patients and staff affected and also their loved ones, who deserve much better than to have to wait for a hospital bed. It is worth pointing out, however, that the vast majority of people on hospital a trolley this morning will be in a proper hospital bed before the evening is out,” he said.
The hospitals with the highest numbers of patients on trolleys last month were:
– University Hospital Limerick – 1,405
– Cork University Hospital – 936
– University Hospital Galway – 884
– University Hospital Waterford – 707
– Mater Misericordiae University Hospital – 639
University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has been at the centre of much political and public attention as overcrowding continues to plague it with no sign of respite, reaching the national record for the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland for a third time last week.
The Taoiseach added today:
During the first half of this year, we saw encouraging reductions in the numbers of patients on trolleys year on year but there has been a deterioration since June. It has been getting steadily worse since then, regrettably. Part of that is down to an increase in the number of people attending our emergency departments, but there was also an increase in the first half of the year. Despite this, we have fewer patients on trolleys, so that does not explain it full.
It is understood that the Taoiseach spoke to Health Minister Simon Harris about the numbers on the margins of today’s Cabinet meeting.
“When I spoke to the Minister for Health about this matter this morning, I learned that action is being taken. We are adding more beds to our hospital system.”
He said since 2012, extra beds to the hospital system have been added. “More money is being invested and spent in our health services than ever before,” he said.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said “more than an apology is needed”.
“Those patients and others, and any families who finds themselves in this situation, actually want change and a solution to this matter. The Taoiseach comes in here as a matter of routine and recites the actions he claims to have taken and numbers of beds and so on but the reality is that the system does not have the capacity necessary to deliver the care that the patients need.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
@dangle,what a nasty comment!!Wonder what was said by people like you about the Irish in the famine times!Same on you.
Amazing how these people keep on breeding even though food and water is had to come by in a poverty stricken kip
that it is!
You’re talking about human beings, not animals. Saying they are breeding is disgusting.
They are some of the poorest people in the world. Without access to basic needs like food and water, do you really think contraception is available?
Also, culturally African people generally have larger families for a variety of reasons, not unlike Irish people only two generations ago.
But it IS a poverty stricken kip, and they ARE breeding even though they know they will not be able to raise their kids. If I did not have the resources to take care of myself, I would not even think of bringing a child into the world. It would be a life of misery and starvation; nasty, brutish and short.
Gerry b does it need to be breaking news to keep these atrocities in the public domain???
Yawn
That’s the third time in less than 24 hours, that “the journal” has posted a news article on this same issue. It’s not big news, is it?????
I reckon u guys think this sort of story will provoke some interesting comments, as people’s attitudes on this sort of aid appeal tend to be so extreme.
Gerry B, if 10 MILLION people suffering drought conditions, destitute and barely surviving is not big news to you, what is?
Maybe you prefer to live in a bubble where we rehash the bank bailout arguement day in, day out.
Kinda puts our predicament into perspective I think.
Lenny, I accept your point, however, my comment still stands valid. This unfortunate situation Is not really breaking news and the fact that it has been featured on the journal 3 times in 14 hours, seems bizarre. I dont recall any reference to this story on tonights rte 9 pm news.
Ok, well I’ll stick with the journal covering everything from Irish news, columns, live sport updates to chocolate printers than
rte’s biased political reports to dinners flying on fair city.
I accept our differences.
have your say