CUH Treating "Unprecedented Number of Patients"

Cork University Hospital is currently providing care for an "unprecedented number of patients."

That's according to Clinical Lead, Major Trauma Audit and Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Professor Conor Deasy.

Deasy says there is "intense pressure" on the hospital's inpatient wards.

"Before the pandemic CUH needed additional bed capacity; now we need an even greater uplift in bed capacity because people who are being admitted are sicker and more de-conditioned," Deasy said. "There is also a requirement to catch up on operations, clinics and diagnostic investigations that were postponed during the pandemic. These factors are resulting in patients waiting prolonged lengths of time for a ward bed in our Emergency Department (ED)."

The professor is calling for an increase in staff numbers at the hospital.

"To open a bed on a ward you need space and you need staff, in particular nursing staff," he said. "Now more than ever, we need staff to join the team here at CUH in providing care to the sick and vulnerable during these extraordinary times."

Trolley numbers are currently at their highest since the pandemic began. Across the nation, 381 patients are currently on trolleys.
In CUH, 47 patients are currently waiting beds. That's the highest figure in Ireland.

The overcrowding is believed to stem from the closure of the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) at Bantry General Hospital, which is due to reopen on Wednesday.