Health chiefs’ action plan to tackle trolley crisis

Date Published: 28-Apr-2010

Radical proposals are about to be drawn up to dramatically increase the efficiency of the Emergency Department of University Hospital Galway and in the process eliminate the scandal of patients stuck on trolleys.

HSE senior management are meeting in Galway this week to discuss the crisis in the Emergency Department which has resulted in patients having to wait for hours on end before being treated.

Senior HSE officials will hold a series of meetings with management along with medical and nursing staff over the coming weeks in a concerted effort to streamline this department.

Across the board changes in the operation of the accident and emergency department at UHG are set to be outlined when discussions with the relevant groups are completed.

The changes are likely to involve a more efficient means of admitting and discharging patients from the Emergency Department, the freeing up of more beds in the hospital and the possible ban in the recruitment of nursing and medical staff.

It could also involve extending the working day for nursing and medical staff as HSE officials are anxious to avoid being under the constant glare of the media as having one of the worst reputations in the country for having patients lying on trolleys.

The behind closed doors meetings will take place over the coming months and are likely to involve unions representing the various sections in the hospital.

Full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.