'Chaos' at Limerick hospital

Limerick Regional Hospital is in "chaos" this morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The INMO said there were 42 patients on trolleys throughout the hospital waiting for a bed.

It says 25 of the patients are scattered throughout the inpatient wards and 17 are on trolleys in the emergency department.

Nurses at the hospital last week suspended industrial action following an invitation from HSE management to recommence discussions to address the continuing pressure on beds at the hospital.

The INMO claims this pressure has worsened since the centralisation of trauma, cancer and surgical services at the hospital last year.

The union claims the HSE has failed to manage the hospital reconfiguration process in the region by not aligning the known demands on the service with available beds.

[Posted: Tue 12/01/2010]