Extraordinary measures needed for UHL in light of weather warnings

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called for special measures to be taken, including the cancellation of all non-urgent elective care in University Hospital Limerick in light of weather warnings in the Midwest region.

Over 352 patients have been on trolleys in University Hospital Limerick so far this week. 

INMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, Colm Porter said:

We know that when weather warnings are issued, the number of patients on trolleys in University Hospital Limerick increases. There is already an  unacceptable and dangerous amount of patients on trolleys in UHL, 116 today alone. The hospital is at an occupancy of 111%, over 30% above the recommended safe occupancy of 82-85%. 

63 patients are on trolleys outside of the emergency department in UHL, which is a blockage to moving patients out of the emergency department. Hospital management must now make it their focus to de-escalate the number of patients being admitted on trolleys. The aim has to be to reduce the number of patients on trolleys across the hospital.

The INMO calling for a number of extraordinary measures to be implemented in the hospital immediately including the 24/7 attendance of adequate senior clinical staff, the immediate cessation of all non-urgent elective procedures, and diversion to minor injury units. 

The number of patients on trolleys in UHL have been dangerously high, while weather warnings are in place emergency care must be prioritised on the Dooradoyle campus.

 

ENDS

 

Share this page