New year but same problems for CUH

A surge in influenza, Covid, and RSV infections is expected this month as Cork’s largest hospital remains understaffed and in a constant state of overcrowding.

End of year figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show that Cork University Hospital (CUH) was the second most overcrowded hospital in the country in 2023 with 12,582 patients being seen to on trollies.

Overall last year 122,879 patients, including 3,494 children, were admitted to hospital without a bed in Ireland.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said 2023 was another difficult year for the organisation’s members across the country.

“There is an increased demand for services due to a growing and ageing population,” she said. “While services have expanded, which is to be welcomed, the staffing levels are not matching the growing demand on service provision,” added Ms Ni Sheaghdha.

In the lead up to the Christmas break, the INMO met with the HSE and the Department of Health on two occasions during which the INMO made a number of recommendations. One key request was that the HSE would grant an exemption for critical front-line staff from the recently expanded recruitment freeze.

“Now is the time to keep and encourage staff to work in our public health service,” continued Ms Ni Sheaghdha.

“With a rising turnover rate, we are tirelessly working to stem the tide of unsafe nurse staffing—an imposition of a moratorium on frontline staff is an obvious own goal,” she added.

The INMO also called for the utilization of all accessible capacity in private hospitals as well as the postponement of all non-urgent elective care until February.

Stronger public health advice and the implementation of more robust infection control measures across all hospitals was also recommended.

Staff safety

Another concern raised by the INMO based on last year’s numbers was staff safety. Figures show that on average, more than 11 staff members were assaulted every day in Irish hospitals in 2023.

Ms Ni Sheaghdha said: “Another unwelcome spike in assaults against staff and particularly nurses and midwives must be tackled in 2024.”

After significant lobbying, the INMO is now optimistic that a new division to be established in the Health and Safety Authority will contribute to forcing employers to take the health and safety and conditions in which nurses and midwives and other health care workers more seriously.

“The focus must be on preventing assaults as opposed to dealing with them after the fact,” said Ms Ni Sheaghdha.

Surge in flu and Covid

Hospitals in the South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG) are currently seeing an increase in people with respiratory illnesses the group has confirmed.

Increasing community infection rates are expected to lead to increased risk of outbreaks in hospitals, nursing homes, and residential care facilities.

The SSWHG said the rise in flu and Covid infection has been “very steep” and that the public should present at hospital only for major health emergencies and to use all other options in non-emergency situations.

Dr Ger O’Callaghan, acting SSWHG CEO said rising rates of Covid and flu over the next few weeks will put significant pressure on hospitals and residential care facilities in the short term.

He said: “Our emergency departments are expected to encounter significant pressures as a result and we know from experience that a delayed peak in flu season such as we are seeing now, will inevitably lead to further pressures throughout the healthcare system.”Michael Olney

molney@corkindependent.com