Our Lady of Lourdes ED: Nearly Half Face Nine-Hour Waits
By ArdeePost Reporter
Almost Half of Patients Faced Extended ED Waits at Our Lady of Lourdes
Almost half of all patients attending the Emergency Department (ED) at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, experienced waiting times of up to nine hours, according to findings from a HIQA inspection carried out last June.
Despite recent efforts to expand capacity, inspectors found that overcrowding remained a significant issue, with long delays continuing to impact patient flow, privacy and infection control within the hospital’s emergency services.
Overcrowding Persists Despite Additional Beds
The inspection revealed that 45 per cent of patients waited more than nine hours in the emergency department after registering, while a further 45 per cent waited over six hours. One patient had been waiting for more than 24 hours at the time of inspection.
This was despite the opening of a 15-bed modular unit in March 2025, which increased the hospital’s overall bed capacity. HIQA noted that while the additional beds were welcome, they had limited impact on alleviating pressure in the emergency department.
On the inspection days, a total of 85 patients were registered in the ED. Of these, 28 were admitted and receiving care within the emergency department itself, while 34 patients were being treated on trolleys in inpatient wards.
Inspectors stated that the continued use of the Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU), Acute Surgical Assessment Unit (ASAU), and the day ward to accommodate admitted patients was negatively affecting the effective operation of those units.
Infection Prevention and Staffing Concerns Highlighted
HIQA identified several risks relating to infection prevention and control, including challenges in sustaining the hospital’s antimicrobial stewardship programme.
Inspectors highlighted the shortage of consultant microbiologists, with only two available to support the on-call rota, and noted a need for additional antimicrobial pharmacist hours to ensure patient safety.
Concerns were also raised about the physical condition and layout of certain areas within the hospital. The design of the day (surge) ward was found not to support effective infection prevention practices.
Our Lady of Lourdes Environmental and Storage Issues Identified
During the inspection, HIQA observed cracked paint on walls and ceilings, staining on patient toilets and sinks, and inappropriate storage of items in some areas.
In the newly opened Oriel Ground Floor Short Stay Ward, inspectors found limited storage space. Shelving had not yet been installed in the dirty utility room, resulting in items being stored on the floor, which impeded effective cleaning. Clean linen was also found to be inappropriately stored in a multi-purpose room.
These issues were brought to the attention of management and clinical staff during the inspection.
Privacy and Dignity Under Pressure
Inspectors acknowledged efforts by staff to maintain patient dignity, noting that patients were often moved from corridor trolleys into cubicles for examination where possible.
However, they found that privacy and confidentiality could not be fully maintained for patients cared for on chairs or trolleys outside cubicles. There was a clear risk that personal and sensitive conversations could be overheard by others in the emergency department.
Diagnostic Access Contributing to Delays
Senior hospital management told inspectors that limited access to diagnostics, including non-urgent CT scans and ultrasounds, was contributing to longer patient stays in the ED.
In response, the hospital introduced a 10-week trial in March 2025, offering non-urgent CT and ultrasound services at weekends from 9am to 5pm. The trial showed positive results, including:
- A reduction in patients waiting longer than 24 hours
- Fewer patients on trolleys
- A decrease in average time spent in the ED
Following the trial, a business case was submitted for additional radiography staff to allow for expanded evening and weekend services. At the time of the inspection, management had yet to receive confirmation on whether the expansion would be approved.
Wider Hospital Group Findings
The HIQA inspection also covered The Cottage Hospital in Drogheda and Louth County Hospital in Dundalk.
Across the three hospital sites, inspectors found services to be:
- Partially compliant in seven out of 12 assessed categories
- Substantially compliant in four categories
- Fully compliant in one category
Patients in Drogheda’s ED told inspectors that staff were “doing the best they can” and described them as “very kind” and “lovely”. Patients also said they were kept informed about their care plans.
At Louth County Hospital, care was described by patients as “exceptional”, while patients at The Cottage Hospital were similarly complimentary of staff and services.
Our Lady of Lourdes Ongoing Pressure on Inpatient Beds
While HIQA acknowledged that progress had been made since its previous inspection, it concluded that the ongoing mismatch between inpatient bed availability and demand continues to significantly affect the effective management of the emergency department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
Hospital management confirmed that the hospital’s escalation plan had been implemented in response to overcrowding, as efforts continue to manage demand and improve patient flow across the hospital group.
