LETTER TO THE EDITOR: My eight questions to our two local government TDs over Mayo hospital overcrowding crisis

Sir,

I wish to express my anger at a recent article in The Connaught Telegraph that reported a total of 26 patients were being treated on trolleys at Mayo University Hospital, on March 9.

Here, I would like to highlight issues of concern relating to this shocking figure, in particularly relating to the dire state of emergency services there.

In raising these issues, I request that these preventable risks around patient safety be addressed with urgency, so as to avoid undue suffering.

My main concerns relate to the clear overstretching of resources within the emergency eepartment. One can witnessed many vulnerable patients on trolleys, with lights on 24/7 in the corridors.

I am requesting further information, from local government TDs, in relation to our hospital as follows:

1. What has been the reduction in bed numbers at Mayo University Hospital in the last 5 to 10 years?

2. How can it be justified if this is the case?

3. How often is the emergency department at MUH filled to capacity and what is the average wait time for a bona fide bed?

4. Given the well-reported challenges around the emergency department at MUH, what are the plans to invest to allow efficient and safe flow through this department?

5. Surely additional investment in staff and beds, as well as key investigations, at weekends will improve efficiency and allow for a better flow though the hospital?

6. In Mayo, we have an aging population. Is this acknowledged when planning services and investment around resources, especially around the winter crisis? Particularly resources around provision for investigations which would surely provide a much more cost effective service in the longer term.

7. What is being done to protect staff in the emergency department, whom are clearly doing their best with limited resources?

8. What measures are being put in place to deliver safe and effective care to vulnerable people on trolleys or otherwise?

I, therefore, urge local government TDs to respond appropriately to this letter, in your publication.

Yours,

Harry Barrett,

Castlebar.