Kilcoyne - HSE have not taken ‘adequate steps’ to tackle bed availability crisis

Local election candidate Michael Kilcoyne said that while ‘everything helps’, the HSE ‘certainly haven’t taken adequate steps’ in fighting the ongoing hospital bed availability issue.

The number of patients without a bed in Mayo University Hospital has fallen marginally since last year, however, the number still remains high.

This past month saw 338 patients go without a bed in the hospital, while January 2023 saw 349.

Cllr Kilcoyne, who is a member of HSE Forum West, explained that should we see a major outbreak of flus or viruses, ‘we’re not in a position to cater for it’.

“Adequate steps means putting in place a proper A&E and a proper amount of accommodation for people who go through A&E to then go onto the wards or rooms in the hospital,” he continued.

The HSE have called for those with minor injuries to head to their nearest injury unit rather than attending A&Es.

“People with minor injuries should go to Roscommon. It's almost an hour and half away, but it's still better than waiting on a chair [at Mayo University Hospital],” said the Independent councillor. 

The local election candidate acknowledges that the Mayo population ‘has increased by 5,000 people in the last two years’, and said that ‘these people get sick the same as people who were here the last 50 years’. 

Cllr Kilcoyne said he has heard of people being sent home without home help being put in place. 

“The latest figures I have is that there are about 130 people waiting for home help,” he said.

Mr Kilcoyne said that ‘shipping people out’ is not a solution to the overcrowding problem. He said he is ‘unhappy’ about cases he’s heard where patients have been sent home, ‘who, in the opinion of their family; shouldn’t have been’.

“There's no point sending people out one door; they come back in the other because there’s no one at home to look after them,” he added.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (IMNO), 12,132 patients, including 278 children, went without a hospital bed in Ireland this past month. 

INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, said ‘some of the care environments are totally inappropriate’ and that it is clear the health system’s capacity ‘isn’t sufficient’.