Record Number Of Hospital Patients On Trolleys In 2011

–          Overall increase of 14% to 86,481

–          December figure shows welcome reduction of 13%

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s (INMO) trolley watch survey, for 2011 (see attached), has confirmed that it was the worst year, for patients on trolleys, since the Organisation commenced maintaining records in 2004.

The figures confirm that 86,481 patients, who had been admitted to hospital, were left on a trolley waiting for a hospital bed.   This represents an increase of 14% over the 2010 figure of 75,859.  The annual survey, which was considered in detail by the INMO’s Executive Council at its recent meeting, also confirmed the following:

–          the number of patients on trolleys, in the greater Dublin area, actually fell, when compared to 2010, by 2,188 or 6 %;

–          the level of overcrowding, in hospitals outside of Dublin, increased significantly, year on year, by 12,810 or  33%;

–          the figures also confirm the dramatic increase in the number of patients on trolleys, in many hospitals, particularly:

–   Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda – 114%

–    Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan – 224%

–    St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny – 639%

University Hospital, Galway – 59%

Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar – 67%

Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore –142%

Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise –352%

Wexford General Hospital – 52%

The INMO Executive Council, in its consideration of these figures, also noted, and welcomed, the 13% reduction in the number of patients on trolleys during the month of December when compared to December 2010.  In this regard the Executive Council acknowledges the efforts, and initiatives, spearheaded by the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), in the Department of Health, in providing additional supports and resources to allow for this improvement.

The Executive Council is now calling upon the Minister for Health to further revise the Annual Service Plan for 2012 (published Monday).  This revision must allow the Special Delivery Unit continue this work with particular emphasis on protecting the earmarked funding, which allows for the opening of closed (low acuity) beds in some hospitals, and additional community supports which are due to end on February 29th.

The survey results also confirm that there are now 2,299 public beds (acute and non acute) closed across the country (see attached list).  This represents an increase of 627 beds which have been closed since this time last year.   The announcement, in the service plan, that a further 555 non acute beds will close in 2012, taken with the inevitable closure of acute beds arising from the funding allocated in the service plan, will seriously exacerbate the existing critical bed shortage.

Speaking on the annual survey results, INMO General Secretary Liam Doran said:

“The INMO identified, in mid 2011, that the numbers on trolleys were at record levels and were now a daily reality in some hospitals that had previously avoided this indignity to patients.  It is a reality that this level of overcrowding was as a direct result of a combination of increased demand for treatment, bed closures, cutbacks in community services and difficulties with the Fair Deal scheme.

Against this very stark background the INMO welcomes the reduction, in patients on trolleys, in December.  This reduction came about as a result of the opening of closed beds, ring fenced funding for some community supports and the prioritisation of this problem, by local management, under the direction of the new Special Delivery Unit.  This work is welcome and must be continued throughout 2012”

Mr Doran concluded:

“The Service Plan for 2012 will have serious implications for frontline services and, by extension, the overcrowding that occurs in hospital emergency departments.

This is the 4th consecutive year of a real, and substantial, reduction in funding, for our public health service.  It is a situation which cannot continue as, regardless of improved efficiencies and new forms of service delivery, both the quality and quantity, of health services will be negatively impacted.

The INMO, in the context of the trolley watch figures we are publishing today, reaffirms its call upon the Minister and the Government to think again about giving greater protection to the public health service.

Every person using our public health service is particularly vulnerable and, regardless of funding difficulties, the system cannot compromise with regard to the provision of safe care through safe practice which fully meets their needs.”

Bed Closures Around The Country As Of January 18, 2012

Total 2,299
Hospital Closed beds
Abbeyleix Hospital 18 – Beds closed
Aras Derbhale CNU, Belmullet 1 – Beds closed
Aras Mac Dara,  Carraroe 3 – Beds closed
Aras Mahair Pol CNU, Castlerea 10 – Long stay beds for elderly closed
Ard Aoibhinn, Cardonagh 4 – Alzheimer’s beds closed
Bantry General Hospital 14 – Surgical ward beds closed
Beaumont Hospital 62 – Beds closed
Belmullet District Hospital 19 – Care of the elderly beds closed
Bethany House (Care of the Elderly), Carlow 38 – Beds closed
Birr Community Nursing Unit 10 – beds closed
Clonakilty Community Hospital 16 – Beds closed
Connolly Hospital 1 – ICU bed closed

42 – beds closed

Cork University Hospital 62 – Beds closed
Dalton Facility, Claremorris 9 – Beds closed
Dean Maxwell CNU, Roscrea 6 – Beds closed
Dungarvan Community Hospital 22 – Beds closed
Dungloe Hospital 14 – beds closed
Ely Hospital, Wexford 2 – Care of the elderly beds closed
Ennis General Hospital 25 – beds closed
Heather House CNU 22 – Beds closed
Heatherside Hospital 23 – Beds closed
Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles 27 – Beds closed
John Sullivan Memorial Home, Cavan 14 – Beds closed
Kanturk Community Hospital 2 – Beds closed
Kerry General Hospital 29 – Surgical beds closed
Kilcreene Hospital, Kilkenny 20 – Beds Closed
Letterkenny General 8 – Beds closed
Lifford Hospital 20 – Beds closed (Care of the elderly)
Lisdarn Hospital, Cavan 15 – Beds closed
Loughloe House, Care of the Elderly Facility 26 – Beds closed
Louth County Hospital 97 – Beds closed
Mater Public Hospital 26 – Beds closed
Mallow General Hospital 10 – Beds closed
Mayo General Hospital 16 – Male surgical beds closed
Mc Bride Nursing Home, Westport 9 – Beds closed
Mercy University Hospital, Cork 31 – Surgical ward beds closed

6 – Male surgical beds (St Patrick’s Ward)

6 – Paediatric beds closed (St Anne’s Ward)

Merlin Park, Galway 91 – Beds closed
Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar 41 – In-patient beds closed
Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise 9 – Paediatric beds closed
Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore 59 – Beds closed
Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick 6 – Paediatric beds closed

4 – ICU beds closed

9 – Beds closed

Monaghan General 56 – Beds closed (and a high care unit)
Naas General Hospital, Kildare 32 – Beds closed
Nenagh General 25 – Beds closed
Ofalia House, Edenderry

(Care of the Elderly Services)

12 – Beds closed
Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin 25 – Orthopaedic beds closed. Equivalent of One Theatre – reduced capacity and outpatients reduced by 15%.
Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan 18 – Medical beds closed

15 – Medical beds

13 – Surgical beds

Pathways (Care of the Elderly Services, Cavan) 6 – Beds closed
Plunkett CNU, Boyle 19 – Beds closed
Portiuncula Hospital 13 – Beds closed (St John’s Ward)
Raheen CNU, Scariff 5 – Beds closed
Ramelton Nursing Unit, Donegal 10 – Beds closed
Roscommon County Hospital 7 – Beds closed
Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital 10 – Recovery beds closed
Sacred Heart Hospital Carlow 20 – Beds closed
Sacred Heart Home, Castlebar 10 – Beds closed
Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon 41 – Beds closed
Sheil Hospital, Ballyshannon 8 – Beds closed
Sligo General Hospital 70 – Beds closed
South Tipperary General 30 – beds closed

1 – ICU bed closed

South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital 27 – Beds closed (female medical ward)

2 – ICU beds closed

26 – Male surgical beds closed

St. Anne’s, Clifden 9 – Beds closed
St Augustine’s CNU, Ballina 6 – Care of the elderly beds closed
St Brendan’s Home, Loughrea 7 – Beds closed
St Brigid’s Home, Crooksling 60 – Beds Closed
St Brigid’s Hospital, Shaen 12 – Beds closed
St Camillus Hospital. Limerick 45 – Beds closed
St Colmcille’s, Loughlinstown 23 – Beds closed (medical ward)
St. Colman’s, Rathdrum 22 – Respite beds closed
St. Columbanus Home, Killarney 41 – Care of the elderly beds closed
St Conlon’s, Nenagh 2 – Beds closed
St Francis CNU, Galway 18 – Beds closed
St Ita’s, Limerick 17 – Beds closed
St. John’s, Enniscorthy 40 – Care of the elderly beds closed
St. John’s, Limerick 25 – Beds closed
St. John’s, Sligo 35 – beds closed
St Joseph’s, Ennis 70 – Beds closed
St Joseph’s Hospital, Stranolar 17 – Beds closed
St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny 26 – Pre-discharge beds closed

9 – In-patient beds closed

14 – Gynae beds closed

14 – Medical beds closed

St Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital, Cork 25 – Beds closed
St Patrick’s Hospital, Cashel 11 – Care of the elderly beds closed
St Patrick’s Hospital, Fermoy 12 – Beds closed
St Patrick’s, Waterford 19 – Long stay beds closed (St Bridget’s Ward)

6 – Rehab beds

St Vincent’s Hospital, Athy 26 – Beds closed (care of the elderly ward)
St Vincent’s, Athlone/ St Mary’s, Mullingar/ St Joseph’s, Longford (Care of Elderly Facilities) 40 – Beds closed
St Vincent’s Hospital Mountmellick 12 – Beds closed
Swinford District Hospital 6 – Beds closed
Tallaght Hospital 31 – Beds closed
The Rock Nursing Unit, Ballyshannon 7 – Beds closed
University Hospital, Galway 17 – Beds closed
Virginia Health Centre, Cavan 4 – Beds closed
Waterford Regional Hospital 6 – Paediatric beds closed
Wexford General Hospital 14 – Gynae beds closed

25 – Beds closed

Wicklow District Hospital 21 – Beds closed

Annual Trolley Watch Analysis 2006 – 2011

Hospital 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Adelaide & Meath Hospital (Tallaght) 4941 3962 5782 6044 7011 4784
Beaumont Hospital 4304 6164 8065 8717 8195 7410
Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown 2418 2709 2706 2667 3562 4207
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital 4248 5083 5984 4910 5425 3936
Naas General Hospital 3025 1323 2268 3797 3282 4409
St Colmcille’s Hospital 1267 751 1104 2589 2231 2208
St James’ Hospital 2008 1022 2471 2441 1366 1590
St Vincent’s University Hospital 4190 6093 5694 5427 6063 6403
Eastern 26401 27107 34074 36592 37135 34947
Cavan General Hospital 2816 2779 2189 1975 3291 4572
Cork University Hospital 3867 3615 4516 4539 7021 6649
Kerry General Hospital 1144 507 763 337 623 672
Letterkenny General Hospital 3059 1253 388 378 474 592
Louth County Hospital 200 88 152 146 25 n/a
Mayo General Hospital 2285 1391 1207 1454 1760 599
Mercy University Hospital, Cork 1431 1270 1534 1270 1910 1943
Mid Western Regional Hospital, Ennis 867 961 252 368 431 411
Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick 1814 1367 1735 2422 3715 3658
Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar 169 91 183 528 1921 3204
Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise 469 283 425 297 426 1926
Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore 64 34 95 77 766 1857
Monaghan General Hospital 106 287 293 119 n/a n/a
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda 3444 2811 2927 3415 3484 7449
Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan 520 847 851 1084 453 1469
Portiuncula Hospital 403 281 306 605 840 941
Roscommon County Hospital 589 764 725 755 1036 719
Sligo General Hospital 784 732 667 955 1754 1505
South Tipperary General Hospital 727 784 881 500 666 768
St Lukes Hospital, Kilkenny n/a n/a n/a n/a 140 1034
University Hospital Galway 1654 2414 3470 3444 4103 6544
Waterford Regional Hospital n/a n/a 496 589 1349 1165
Wexford General Hospital 2907 736 1306 1833 2536 3857
Country 29319 23295 25361 27090 38724 51534
Total 55,720 50,402 59,435 63,682 75,859 86,481

Increase in 2011 compared to 2010: 14%

Increase in 2011 compared to 2009: 36%

Increase in 2011 compared to 2008: 46%

Increase in 2011 compared to 2007: 72%

Increase in 2011 compared to 2006: 55%

Trolley Watch Analysis December 2010/2011

Decrease in December 2011 compared to December 2010 of 13%

Hospital Dec 2010 Dec 2011
Adelaide & Meath Hospital (Tallaght) 599 142
Beaumont Hospital 531 579
Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown 442 132
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital 318 376
Naas General Hospital 224 172
St Colmcille’s Hospital 266 202
St James’ Hospital 103 107
St Vincent’s University Hospital 299 417
Eastern 2,782 2,127
Cavan General Hospital 313 193
Cork University Hospital 652 447
Kerry General Hospital 21 25
Letterkenny General Hospital 42 38
Louth County Hospital n/a n/a
Mayo General Hospital 103 1
Mercy University Hospital, Cork 214 143
Mid Western Regional Hospital, Ennis 56 13
Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick 284 299
Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar 136 200
Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise 82 173
Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore 136 126
Monaghan General Hospital n/a n/a
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda 326 440
Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan 32 119
Portiuncula Hospital 8 11
Roscommon County Hospital 93 n/a
Sligo General Hospital 109 76
South Tipperary General Hospital 22 120
St Lukes Hospital, Kilkenny 19 112
University Hospital Galway 249 363
Waterford Regional Hospital 152 103
Wexford General Hospital 203 138
Country 3,252 3,140
Total 6,034 5,267

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