Overcrowding out of control as Health Minister refuses to address crisis at UHG – Kelleher

Published on: 17 November 2011


Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher has said he is deeply concerned by the extreme escalation of overcrowding at University Hospital Galway and the ongoing refusal by the Minister for Health James Reilly to make an official visit the hospital to address the crisis.

Deputy Kelleher is travelling to Galway this afternoon for a series of meetings to discuss the crisis in the health services in Galway and the Western region.  Tomorrow he will visit the Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway and hold discussions with hospital management.

“The latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show that a record 60 patients, including children and older people, are on trolleys at UHG today,” said Deputy Kelleher.  “This is of enormous concern given that we are now heading deep into winter and the pressure on the hospital is likely to increase significantly throughout December and January.

“Quite simply, the situation is unsafe for patients and for staff. The emergency health services in Galway are under even more pressure since the Minister Reilly shut down the Emergency Department at Roscommon Hospital, and made more cuts to community health services across the region. Now we have a situation where UHG is bursting at the seams and patients have nowhere to go.

“It has gone beyond time for the Health Minister James Reilly to intervene.  He is now in charge of the HSE and has appointed his own expert board. He has taken control – now it is time for him to take action.”

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