Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has described the Government’s inaction on the ongoing trolley crisis as a disgrace.

The Sinn Féin TD said:

“Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) this week showed a record 714 patients were waiting on hospital trolleys across the State on Monday.

“While the figure has decreased slightly since then, 23 people remain on trolleys in Tallaght Hospital today.

“Over the past three months the number of people on trolleys has steadily increased and shows no signs of decreasing. Disgracefully, this has not created any emergency response from the Government.

“This bed shortage is causing hardship for patients, hospital staff, and it is directly impacting on planned elective surgeries. Vital life changing operations are being postponed and lists are getting longer.

“Unfortunately many in Government do not appear to believe that the trolley crisis has reached breaking point and don’t grasp the reality of the crisis facing patients and staff. It’s clear from the figures that our local hospital in Tallaght is not immune and is being forced to operate in crisis mode most of the time, as is the entire Health System.”

Crowe continued:

“I welcome the news this week that Minister Harris has heeded the calls of Sinn Féin to forgo his travel arrangements for St. Patrick’s Day and to concentrate on addressing the ongoing trolley crisis. This is the correct and right approach to take, but his next step should be to sign off on practical measures that can work.

“Another positive step would be for Minister Harris to implement the recommendations of Sinn Féin’s Private Members Business motion that was unanimously passed in January, and begin to tackle and eradicate the trolley crisis.

“Everyone is in agreement that the Government cannot wish away the trolley crisis, but there are practical steps it can begin to take to alleviate its impact, including the introduction of more beds into the system.

“Our motion sought to ensure that the Emergency Department Task Force works on a permanent basis, monitoring the situation nationwide, and reporting on problems to be proactively tackled. This includes increasing investment for transitional care beds, adequate step-down facilities, home care packages and home help hours, to ensure that all patients who can be moved home to a more appropriate care setting get the supports they need.”

ENDS