Hospital overcrowding the inevitable result of government failure – John Brady TD
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady responded to the release of figures by the INMO which show that, since the beginning of January, there has been an average of 631 patients admitted without a bed each day, by describing the current situation as the inevitable result of government failure.
Brady said:
“Overcrowding in hospitals has now reached the point of permanent crisis. However, it peaks in the winter as demand increases and hospitals struggle without sufficient capacity. This happens year on year, and yet the government continues to fail to plan and invest.
Sinn Féin would take a zero-tolerance approach to hospital trolleys. We would mandate best practice across Emergency Departments, invest in 5,000 new hospital beds and 2,000 community beds. We would also invest in radiology departments and laboratories to speed up access to diagnostics in Emergency Departments.
Crucially, we would also legislate for staff staffing levels and safely staff our hospitals. The lack of dignity afforded to patients and front-line staff as a consequence of overcrowding is shocking and disrespectful. Overcrowding also compromises patient safety and increases the chance of loss of life.
In October last year, Sinn Féin published a comprehensive plan to invest in health care, create greater efficiencies and improve access for patients. This government lacks the vision and the political will to deliver. I and my party will continue to hold any incoming government to account and to champion better health care.
Every effort needs to be made to properly support staff and patients. The predictable worsening of hospital overcrowding seems to have escaped the attention of this government as they cobble together another Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government.” ENDs