Nurses protest at A&E overcrowding

Up to 200 nurses at Wexford General Hospital began a process of "working under protest" yesterday in an attempt to get management…

Up to 200 nurses at Wexford General Hospital began a process of "working under protest" yesterday in an attempt to get management to do something about gross overcrowding in the hospital's A&E unit.

There were 25 patients on trolleys in the hospital's A&E every morning this week, and nursing staff decided they had to act, according to Mr Tony Fitzpatrick, industrial relations officer with the Irish Nurses Organisation. He said patients were being cared for in corridors.

"The crisis is causing patients severe hardship and suffering."

Mr Fitzpatrick accused the Department of Health and the South Eastern Health Board (SEHB) of inaction.

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The health board, in a statement, acknowledged there was continuous pressure on the hospital. "The optimum long-term solution to difficulties encountered at Wexford General Hospital is for the SEHB to receive approval for additional bed space," it said.