Emergency dept safety concerns

Hospitals may no longer be able to manage emergency patients safely as a result of the lack of experienced doctors, according to the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM).

The IAEM has warned that this may force hospitals to close or limit their emergency department (ED) opening hours.

It says emergency departments are continuing to have major difficulties in recruiting junior doctor staff.

According to the IAEM, the lack of experienced medical staff is most acute in Naas, Portiuncula, Mayo General, Tralee, and Letterkenny hospitals.

The Association claims almost every emergency department in the country has been unable to recruit its full complement of medical staff.

"Where there are alternative EDs in reasonable proximity, it may now be necessary for hospitals that cannot safely staff their EDs to close or limit their opening hours," the IAEM said.

The Association, which represents consultants in emergency medicine, says arrangements will have to be made to transfer patients elsewhere outside these hours.

"While this may appear to be a disproportionate response to the problem, the reality is that some of these EDs cannot be guaranteed to provide safe care for patients," the IAEM said.

It added that with further reductions in the number of junior doctors and changes in registration and training post recognition due to come into effect from July 1, the situation in EDs is likely to deteriorate significantly.

The Association says it is now imperative that the HSE now decides where it is going to provide 24-hour emergency services for the population.

"If EDs cannot provide a safe service, they should be closed or have their opening hours restricted to periods when they can provide a safe service."

In response, the HSE said: "Patient safety is of paramount concern to the HSE across the hospital system."

It said it was fully aware of the staffing situations in hospital emergency departments in some parts of the country, and a recruitment drive for a new intake of junior doctors was underway.

The HSE said a number of other initiatives were being considered to address the situation to ensure that EDs continue to offer a high level of care to all patients.

It said it is working closely with individual hospitals to address their needs in this area on a short, medium and long-term basis.

See also: 'Action needed on doctor shortage'

[Posted: Tue 06/04/2010]