The elderly are among the worst hit, with 15 patients over the age of 75 having to suffer through a delay of over 24 hours to be moved to a ward yesterday. This highlights the severe impact of current hospital overcrowding on vulnerable populations, indicating a need for immediate solutions to manage patient flow and ensure timely care.
Over 761 patients were put on emergency department trolleys or spread out in other areas. Hospitals are now seeing a 'perfect storm' of increased illness due to flu, post-Christmas sickness, accidents, and severe weather conditions creating record overcrowding. This situation is further exacerbated by the return of compulsory face masks in hospitals.
Patients who need routine and non-urgent treatment should brace for long waiting times due to the immense pressure on emergency services. With hospitals forced to prioritize urgent cases amidst record flu cases and weather-related health issues, the operational capacity of healthcare is severely strained.
The adverse weather has complicated healthcare operations, with Met Éireann forecasting even colder conditions that could exacerbate existing health complications in vulnerable populations. Outpatient clinics in several hospitals are shutting down, reflecting a significant operational challenge in the healthcare system.
Collection
[
|
...
]