Urgent Call for Action as Overcrowding Crisis Escalates at Drogheda Hospital
INMO Reports “Seriously Ill Patients” on Trolleys at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has raised alarms about the critical situation at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where “seriously ill patients” are being left on trolleys due to severe overcrowding.
The INMO expressed “deep concern” over the situation, urging the hospital’s management to take immediate and decisive action to address the overcrowding crisis. According to the organization’s TrolleyWatch data, more than 160 patients have been left on trolleys since June 4th.
“Our members in OLOL are deeply concerned about the number of seriously ill patients who are ending up on trolleys throughout the hospital without an adequate number of nursing staff rostered to care safely for them,” stated Maurice Sheehan, INMO Industrial Relations Officer at the hospital.
Mr. Sheehan highlighted that the crisis is being exacerbated by a recruitment freeze imposed by the Health Service Executive (HSE), further straining the hospital’s capacity to provide adequate care.
“The INMO is now calling on the hospital to take extraordinary measures in order to reduce the number of patients on trolleys,” he added.
In response, a spokesperson for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital acknowledged the high number of emergency department attendances and admissions this week. They assured that all patients requiring ward accommodation are being prioritized for beds based on clinical need and that necessary escalation protocols have been implemented to alleviate current delays.
The INMO continues to advocate for urgent solutions to ensure patient safety and adequate staffing at the hospital amidst this escalating healthcare crisis.
