Union says overcrowding at Letterkenny hospital is ‘extremely dangerous’

Nurses at Letterkenny University Hospital are “trying to maintain safe conditions in an impossible situation” a nursing union has said after overcrowding at the hospital led to a queue of ambulances forming outside on Tuesday night.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said the hospital is operating “way beyond capacity” after at least seven ambulances were seen queued outside unable to admit patients due to overcrowding.

The hospital has been dealing with severe overcrowding in recent days as well as an outbreak of Covid-19 that has resulted in the closure of wards and the restriction of visiting.

Minister asked to intervene after ambulances queue at Letterkenny hospital

Letterkenny University Hospital has been dealing with severe overcrowding in recent days as well as an outbreak of Covid-19

The INMO said there were 37 admitted patients waiting for beds at the hospital on Wednesday morning.
Health Service Executive (HSE) figures show 84 Covid-19 patients were being treated at the hospital on Tuesday night with 14 new confirmed cases in the previous 24 hours.

INMO industrial relations officer Neal Donohue said the overcrowding is “extremely dangerous”. 

“Staff on the ground are telling us the level of overcrowding is extremely dangerous and even with appeals to other facilities to assist with patient flow, they are wondering how they will cope with the upcoming bank holiday weekend,” he said.

“We’ve been calling on local and national-level intervention in Letterkenny for a long time as we know this will have a long term effect on the ability to staff local facilities, as fewer nurses will be drawn to the area. No one should have to work or receive care in these conditions.”