Reforms alone are unlikely to solve ED pressure this winter

Earlier this month, the Department of Health and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) issued press releases welcoming improvements in urgent and emergency care performance.

The Department reported an 8 per cent reduction in the number of patients waiting on trolleys at 8am over the first 10 months of the year.

However, it warned that performance since early November is concerning, with emergency departments experiencing mounting pressure that is expected to worsen as influenza-like illnesses spread.

The Department said long-term improvement requires fully integrated, seven-day services. Central to this, it argued, is the full implementation of the public-only consultant contract and the presence of more senior decision-makers during evenings and weekends.

The INMO also welcomed the reduction and stressed that the indications point to a challenging winter. But for the union, the critical issue is staffing. It pointed out the HSE has failed to implement a safe staffing plan and over 1,500 nursing and midwifery posts are currently vacant.

The Department is keen to stress that implementing existing reforms will bring continued improvement. However, the reality, as ever, is that without additional resources, hospitals are likely to face a familiar struggle.