Patients in hospitals in the Dublin region are transferred to hospitals as far away as Waterford because of nurse and bed shortages in intensive care units, the Irish Nurses Organisation conference heard yesterday.
On one occasion a patient was on the way from St Colmcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, to Letterkenny General Hospital when a bed became available in the intensive care unit in St James's Hospital, Dublin.
The conference also heard of the use of sedatives on mentally handicapped people because of shortages of nursing staff.
Ms Doreen Bourke, chairwoman of the Intensive Care Nurses Section of the INO said anaesthetists seeking intensive care beds for patients in Accident & Emergency sometimes have to telephone hospitals inside and outside the Dublin region.
It could happen that the only hospital with a bed would be in Naas, Waterford or Wexford and the patient would be sent there by ambulance. If no hospital could be found, the patient might have to be kept on a ventilator in the A&E department and this was not suitable.Shortage of nurses or beds in intensive care also led to the cancellation of surgery and this was very upsetting for patients.
The conference unanimously called on health boards to increase funding to voluntary agencies caring for disabled people.