Rough sleepers resorting to using Cork A&E departments to keep warm in sub zero temperatures

A NUMBER of rough sleepers have been seeking refuge in hospital emergency departments during Cork’s cold snap.

Caitríona Twomey, from Cork Penny Dinners, said many of the rough sleepers who approach her for a hot meal admit to using emergency departments as shelter from harsh weather.

Temperatures in Cork nosedived to as low as -6C this week, prompting many people to avail of temporary homeless accommodation. 

The demand was such that members of one homeless service were forced to turn away some potential service users this week.

Ms Twomey said some people are presenting to the emergency medicine department just to keep out of the cold. 

“One man who came to us for food joked that they will have to build more A&E departments, as this is the only place left for him to go,” she told The Echo.

“He was trying to have a sense of humour about it to keep things light.

“Nonetheless, the stark reality behind what he was saying is truly frightening for so many people.”

When contacted by The Echo, the South/Southwest Hospital Group said it was unaware of instances of people using emergency departments for shelter. However, Ms Twomey said desperation has driven some to feign their symptoms in an attempt to prolong their hospital stay.

NO ACCESS TO HEAT

“These are people without access to heat,” she said.

“They have no problems coming up with a list of ailments or issues that might be wrong with them. The last thing they want is to waste anybody’s time. This is done out of pure desperation. Some will talk about pains in their chests or heads. Another will say they banged their head.”

Ms Twomey described how emergency departments are sometimes treated as a preventative measure, saying: “In some cases they are afraid they’ll get hypothermia. They are terrified about what’s going to happen to them in the cold.

“Some feel like they might lose the sense to know what’s going on with their bodies. The hospital staff are kind to them, even though they know the patient is there out of desperation.

“However, the hospital will have to investigate if somebody presents with an issue. A blood test might take a couple of hours, but at least they’ll be sitting in the heat.

“Often, it’s a case of going wherever you can just to get off the streets. It’s a survival method for those experiencing homelessness. They pass on these survival methods to help each other get by on the streets. Nobody wants to be out in this weather.”

Ms Twomey said people are often forced to find creative ways to survive.

“That’s why we are giving out double thermals to anyone who needs them. The snoods are also very popular ... but it’s becoming impossible for people to stay warm.”