HSE says patients must plan for hospital discharge as Cork facilities remain busy

The HSE South-West has reminded the public that overstaying in a hospital bed causes overcrowding at emergency departments. The reminder comes as 60 people were treated on trolleys in Cork yesterday.

With winter pressures continuing on hospital’s across Cork, HSE South-West has said that patients and families should be prepared for planning for their discharge to start as soon as they are admitted to hospital.

Emergency departments in Cork University Hospital and Mercy University Hospital remain very busy this week, with the HSE saying staff across all South-West services are doing everything possible to reduce waiting times and maintain accessibility.

Daily trolley figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show that there were 31 people being treated on trolleys in CUH and 29 in the Mercy yesterday.

The HSE area manager for Cork South and West, Priscilla Lynch, said the public can help by being mindful of the need to move on from care in an acute hospital as quickly and safely as possible.

“Our healthcare teams are working with patients and the public to make sure everyone gets the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“The public can help by engaging with all options for discharge when they are offered. Every hour in a bed in an acute hospital is a valuable resource.

“Unfortunately, when someone does not move on from a bed when the acute phase of their treatment is finished, it causes a delay in someone else’s care.”

Sonya Cotter, the HSE area manager for Cork North and East, said that in addition to reminding the public to use emergency departments appropriately, HSE South-West is creating awareness of how overstaying in a hospital bed contributes to overcrowding in emergency departments.

“Healthcare services in Cork remain busy, particularly during the winter period,” she said.

“Hospitals in Cork provide excellent acute care, and it is important that we ensure acute capacity is available.

“Therefore, it is important when patients are finished the acute phase of their healthcare treatment they transition seamlessly to the next appropriate care destination.”