Republic of Ireland: 'Unsafe' A&Es criticised as doctors warn of GP crisis

Patients are not safe from harm in three out of seven emergency departments, a damning new Hiqa inspection report has revealed. 

The report was released on the same day as an Oireachtas committee was warned of a growing crisis in primary care, with patients in some parts of the country unable to access basic GP services. 

Emergency Departments in Cork University Hospital (CUH) and University Hospital Limerick (UHL) were among seven EDs assessed by the health watchdog.

In three EDs, including Cork and Limerick, inspectors found failures to ensure “service providers protect service users from the risk of harm.” 

Inspectors also found patients’ “dignity, privacy and autonomy” was not respected in UHL, while CUH was only partially compliant in this area.

The report also highlighted lengthy waiting times, including one patient who spent 116 hours on a trolley at UHL.

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Source: The Irish Examiner, 15 December 2022