CUH situation ‘grim’ amid ‘serious challenges’ for staff members

Cork University Hospital (CUH) is in “a grim situation”, a spokesperson for the Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation has claimed.

His comments come as CUH appealed for patients not to attend the emergency department unless for a major health emergency. On Tuesday, it had nearly 300 attendances, the highest number ever.

A CUH spokesperson reported that “demands are unprecedented” and attendances in January are up 35% on the same period last year, while admissions are up 37%. For those over age 75, attendances are up 43%, and admissions are up 57%.

Assistant director of industrial relations at the INMO, Colm Porter, said the issue is not confined to the emergency department. “There’s patients on trolleys inappropriately placed on wards and throughout the hospital,” he said. “What we’re seeing is patients who are sick enough to be admitted to hospital, but don’t have a bed within that hospital. We know... that this has a negative impact on patient care; delayed or missed care, poor patient outcomes, increased stays and increased rates of mortality, if receiving care on a trolley.”

“We have particular issues in Cork with a lack of community beds, and CUH has the highest levels of delayed transfer of care in the country — people ready to be discharged, but there’s no suitable beds for them,” he said.

Latest figures from the HSE show that there were 38 people in CUH ready to be discharged, but with nowhere to go.

“That’s a big issue, and not just a hospital issue, it’s the whole system issue — there’s only so much that CUH can do,” said Mr Porter.

He also explained that while Dublin has a choice of hospitals, people in Cork have no other options, so CUH “can’t divert ambulances, they can’t close their doors”, and he echoed calls for people not to present at emergency departments if they can avoid it.

“All of this is having an impact on, of course patients, but our members as well,” he said. “The overcrowding has a significant impact on the physical and mental health of our members.

“They are reporting serious challenges in maintaining infection control standards. Their main priority is to deliver patient care and dignity, but it is very hard in these circumstances. CUH and the HSE need to protect the staff, our members aren’t going to put their safety at risk.”

Yesterday, according to INMO figures, there were 88 people on trolleys in the hospital, 71 in emergency departments, and 17 in wards. HSE figures show that 10 people over age 75 were waiting for a bed for more than 24 hours at CUH yesterday. This figure makes up over half of the national figure, with 19 people aged over 75 waiting more than a day.

“I apologise to all patients and their loved ones for any delays they experience while attending CUH, and I want to thank the public for their continued co-operation and support of our dedicated and hardworking staff,” said Cork University Hospital CEO David Donegan. 

Patients are advised to use all other options in non-emergency situations, including local pharmacies, injury units, GPs, and HSE.ie.