Clare’s Independent TD has accused the Health Minister of using figures to give the impression that the health service has dramatically improved over the winter months, which Dr Michael Harty claims is not the case.
Minister Simon Harris has said he’s encouraged by HSE figures which show a reduction in overcrowding nationally in seven of the past twelve months.
This is stark contrast with figures from the Irish Nursing and Midwives Organisation, which show trolley numbers reached record numbers last year, with University Hosptial Limerick the most overcrowded in the country.
That’s the case again today, according to INMO figures, there were 44 patients waiting for beds in the ED at the region’s main hospital this morning, with a further 20 on trolleys in wards.
Dr Michael Harty has been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill that trolley numbers are only part of the problem:
