Health Minister thanks staff for delivering ‘safer and more timely access to emergency and urgent care for patients’
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill has thanked healthcare staff for their work over the St Patrick’s bank holiday, after emergency departments (EDs) noticed a significant drop in overcrowding compared to the St Brigid’s weekend.
The number of patients waiting on ED trolleys at 8am between last Saturday and Monday was down by 70 per cent when compared to the February long weekend.
This period also saw discharges from acute hospitals increase by eight per cent. This included an increase in discharges on Saturday and Sunday with 175 more patients discharged compared to the St Brigid’s bank holiday weekend.
On Tuesday the HSE recorded a total of 230 patients waiting on trolleys in EDs, a reduction of 63 per cent compared to 617 without a bed on Tuesday, February 4. ED Attendances were four per cent lower this weekend when compared to the February long weekend.
This week’s figures are also substantially down on St Patrick’s weekend 2024. The Tuesday after the bank holiday that year saw 466 people waiting on trolleys in EDs.
“I want to thank the staff in emergency departments, and throughout hospital and community services for their work over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend, which has delivered safer and more timely access to emergency and urgent care for patients, whilst also providing a safer and better place to work for staff,” the Minister said.
The development comes after Minister McNeill expressed alarm over overcrowding rates experienced during the St Brigid’s weekend, and requested that hospitals ensure adequate numbers of consultants are on duty over the St Patrick’s weekend to discharge patients sooner and free up space for those arriving into EDs.
“We have seen a more stabilised position over this bank holiday weekend and this level of performance needs to be achieved every weekend to benefit our patients and our health care staff,” she added.
“I am determined to work with the HSE to make sure this momentum continues and to deliver sustained improvements in the provision of safe and timely access to emergency and urgent care for the people of Ireland.”
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