Today the Irish Nurses and Midwives association have published their report that over 500 people on trolleys in our A&E wards, it is clear that a new approach to tackling the crisis in our healthcare services is urgently needed.

22 people were lying on a trolley in Connolly Hospital according to the INMO report

The figures found that 22 people were left sitting on a trolley in our own Connolly Hospital is a stark reminder of the human side of the ‘Fianna Fail’ recession

Letting people languish on trolleys in corridors and examination rooms, for hours on end or even longer, is completely unacceptable in this day and age. Is there no regard for a patient’s privacy or dignity?

First and foremost, it makes no sense at a time when some 1200 beds in hospitals around the country are mothballed. These beds should be opened up as a matter of urgency, on a short term basis at the very least.

Every year, at this time, there is a spike in activity in A&E wards, brought about by seasonal flu. This is a predictable phenomenon and one that the HSE should be prepared for, yet we see where hospitals this week have been caught completely flat-footed. There should be a contingency plan in place so that the annual surge in presentations at A&E can be handled quickly and efficiently, and without causing undue stress for patients.

Five years ago Mary Harney declared a state of national emergency when there were 495 patients on trolleys. Now at a time when the figure has exceeded that, she has gone to ground. The figures we see today are a direct result of the crude cuts in funding that she has forced on the HSE, over the last two years, and epitomises the culture of bean counting that dominates our health services.

Did she genuinely expect that there would be no impact on the delivery of services as a result of her cuts? I wonder if she even cares.