HSE URGED TO USE NURSING HOMES TO EASE UHG OVERCROWDING

Date Published: 20-Sep-2007

The HSE is being urged to use private beds in nursing homes as a short term solution to this week’s overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Galway.

The Irish Nursing Homes Organisation says the suspension of elective surgery at the hospital is unacceptable when there are nursing home beds available.

It believes the beds could be used to remove people from the acute hospital system and alleviate the overcrowding crisis.

Yesterday saw 20 patients awaiting admission to UHG and all elective surgery deferred.

While there’s now only one patient waiting for a bed, elective surgery is still not going ahead at the hospital.