Trolley crisis at St Luke's persists as INMO council to meet in emergency session

Overcrowding issues persist at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny, where today there are 34 patients waiting on a bed, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

It has been a disastrous start to the year for hospitals nationally, with the trolley crisis deepening and staff under huge pressure.

The Executive Council of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation will meet today in emergency session concerning HSE action in relation to the current hospital overcrowding crisis.

Due to ongoing Covid-19 and flu outbreaks at St Luke’s, and adhering to Infection Prevention Control advice, the  following visiting restrictions have been deemed necessary by the IEHG to curtail the transmission and spread of both Covid-19 and flu virus as follows:

·       Visiting time has been reduced for all patients (excluding critical care, maternity, paediatrics  and end of life care patients) to 30 mins / 1 daily visit/ 1 person only/ per patient  during the current visiting hours. It will be necessary for families to coordinate their visit as the 30 mins / 1 daily visit/ 1 person only/ per patient  during the current visiting hours rule will rigidly apply in almost all areas for the hospital until further notice.

·       Visitors who have symptoms of cold, flu and or Covid-19 must not visit patients as this can further add to the spread of flu and c19 virus to other vulnerable patients and staff within the hospital.

·       All visitors must wear a surgical mask for the duration of their visit with their relative and follow hand hygiene before and after their visit.

·       We strongly encourage patients who have smart phones etc, to use social media for family contact due to the reduction of direct face to face visits.