Many on trolleys as ward closures continue to have impact in Portiuncula

There is a long wait for beds in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, as St John's Ward at the Hospital remains closed this week. There were a minimum of four people left waiting on hospital trolleys every day over the last week, with the numbers reaching 12 on Wednesday of last week. A total of 37 people were left waiting on trolleys at the hospital since last Wednesday, although it is not clear if some of those patients were left waiting for more than one day, thereby adding to the numbers the following day. Last Wednesday 12 people were left waiting on trolleys; four were waiting on Thursday; five were left on trolleys on Friday, while on Monday seven patients were left on trolleys and yesterday (Tuesday) nine patients were waiting on hospital trolleys. The figures were provided by the Irish Nurses Organisation, which monitors the amount of patients left waiting on trolleys at hospitals around the country. The numbers waiting on hospital trolleys at Portiuncula has remained steady since the hospital closed beds over the summer period. Twenty-five beds were closed at St John's Ward in July, while the remaining ten beds in this ward were closed more recently. Asked when St John's Ward would be re-opening, the HSE said in a statement: "Portiuncula Hospital is working towards the opening of St John's Ward." Fine Gael Deputy Denis Naughten said the high numbers of patients waiting on hospital trolleys at Portiuncula over the past week once again highlighted the crazy policy of closing beds in hospitals and reducing supports in communities. "The bed closures are leading to people waiting on trolleys. As well as that there are people stuck in beds in hospitals like Portiuncula where they can't go home because of the reduction in community supports. I know of at least one case in Portiuncula where they are trying to get a stepdown bed for someone, but can't because of cutbacks," he said. "The winding down of services in the community and the closing of beds will lead to a significant increase in the numbers waiting on hospital trolleys this winter, and that's not even taking account of the swine flu."