The Health Minster says beds opened at Cavan Hospital in 2020 are part of measures to ease recent overcrowding at the Emergency Department. The hospital issued a notice about an escalation of presentations at the ED seven times since June, with the most recent memo saying non-urgent admissions were experiencing an eight hour wait.
In response to a query by Northern Sound News on the ongoing issue, Minister Stephen Donnelly said he acknowledged the distress that long waiting times cause to patients, families and staff.
"Significant additional funding was provided through recent HSE Winter Plans to mitigate the pressure on Emergency Departments across the country; eight additional beds opened in Cavan. These beds came on-stream in March 2020," he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health said attendances at Cavan's ED were up 5% in the year to the end of July. Admissions were down 4% on pre-pandemic levels but up 16% on 2021.
The Health Minister has asked the HSE to develop a comprehensive site-by-site Winter Plan for 2022 into 2023 that will deliver more beds and increase staff capacity. The HSE highlighted how site level plans are being prepared to address specific local needs parallel to a broader national approach.
