“The only answer is to lift the recruitment freeze” says Nash
Labour TD Ged Nash has said that the HSE and the Minister for Health must respond to patient overcrowding at the Emergency Department in the Lourdes Hospital and the unacceptably long waiting times at the regional hospital.
“The HSE and senior hospital management need to take extraordinary measures now to address this crisis which is putting very sick and older patients at serious risk.
“I have received extremely worrying representations over the weekend from locals who have been experiencing exceptionally long waits to see a doctor after being triaged.
“Staff are worn out and surge capacity in hospitals in the region needs to be brought on stream urgently so that very ill patients who are already admitted and are on trollies can get a bed and be treated appropriately in Our Lady of Lourdes.
“Ultimately responsibility for this travesty lies at the feet of the Minister for Health.
“Government signed off on a fictional budget for the health service this year, which has led to the HSE implementing a recruitment freeze that is hitting sick and older citizens hardest.
“The only answer is to lift the recruitment freeze”
