TD at loggerheads with Minister Harris over Mayo A&E crisis

A MAYO TD is at loggerheads with Health Minister Simon Harris over the delay in addressing the county's A&E crisis.

Deputy Lisa Chambers challenged the minister to explain the reasons for the 95.7% increase in the numbers of patients on trolleys at Mayo University Hospital from 2013 to 2016.

In response, he said while all hospitals have experienced A&E pressures this winter and increased demand for services, the Castlebar facility had been 'performing better than the national average in terms of patient experience times and trolley numbers'.

He added the Winter Initiative Plan 2016-2017 provided €40 million for winter preparedness and to assist hospitals to deal with increased demand. As of January 24, delayed discharges have reduced nationally to 469, freeing up hospital beds to alleviate A&E pressures.

Deputy Chambers described his reply as 'a standard answer' which clearly did not address the issues she raised.

“The reality is there is no plan to halt the astonishing rise in patient trolley numbers in Castlebar. There is only a plan to extend the waiting toom.

“There is no way the staff at Mayo University Hospital can continue to cope with the increased pressures on them.

“Patients on trolleys will continue to be pushed out into the cafe area until a proper plan is drafted and implemented. I am very disappointed that he and his government colleagues are allowing this trend to continue.”