'Govt must act on trolley crisis'

The Patients Together group has demanded that the Government take action on the overcrowding crisis in the country's hospital emergency departments.

Yesterday it was revealed that the number of patients awaiting admission on trolleys around the country reached 500 for the first time. The figure for today is 410, according to the nurses' union, the INMO.

Patients Together spokesperson Janette Byrne called on the opposition parties to stand united with patients and their families and demand an end to the continued overcrowding of the country's A&E's.

"It has become clear that without serious pressure this Government has no intention to end the suffering and inhuman treatment of patients."

Ms Byrne said the Health Minister and the Government have failed us all and despite promises of 10-point plans and a "National Emergency", there are continued high levels of patients on trolleys.

Fine Gael health spokesperson Dr James Reilly said the Government and HSE must now take urgent action to contract available nursing home beds and re-open closed hospital beds for admissions.

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[Posted: Thu 21/01/2010]