Nearly 500 patients waiting on hospital beds on Tuesday morning

Almost 500 patients were waiting on hospital beds on Tuesday morning, latest figures show. 

A total of 495 admitted patients were waiting for beds this morning, according to today’s INMO Trolley Watch.

Of these, 369 patients were waiting in the emergency department, while 126 were in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

The HSE recently urged people that are seeking medical care to consider all options before attending a hospital's emergency department (ED) as it expected "continued pressure on acute hospitals in the coming days".

In a statement on Monday, the HSE warned that some patients "may expect to experience long waiting times."

Following the busy bank holiday weekend, the HSE confirmed that hospital and community teams have implemented plans to "alleviate overcrowding in their EDs over Easter". It also confirmed that teams continue to work closely to identify those patients who are suitable for discharge home or to community beds.

The HSE say this will be done to "maximise the number of beds available in acute hospitals." 

"As always emergency departments will continue to see and treat patients who require urgent and emergency treatment first. People requiring emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. Please call 999 or 112 for emergency care if there is concern for serious illness or injury," the statement said.

If people are feeling unwell, they are advised to use community pharmacies, GPS and GP out-of-hours, and minor injury units. instead of attending emergency departments.

HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster said: “We know that hospitals will experience pressure coming into Tuesday morning.  Substantial work over the weekend has been of some benefit, but the position remains challenging.

“In as much as possible we want to reduce discomfort for the public and staff and part of that response lies in the use of all options,” Mr Gloster said.