23 patients are waiting on a bed at Cavan General Hospital today. The figure is one of the highest in the country and has been described as "very worrying" by Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Deputy Pauline Tully.
Speaking to Northern Sound, she said that given the time of year, the situation at the hospital is of particular concern. Deputy Tully highlighted how the matter is reflective of poor HSE hospital management.
She added that staffing levels at hospitals around the country "must be addressed". "I just don't understand why additional beds have not been put in place. We need a few thousand additional beds and building up that capacity year-on-year.
"Targets are not being met and when we talk about beds, we are talking about staffing levels as well. Nurses are telling me that they actually feel guilty on their days off because they know they are leaving their colleagues, in many cases, understaffed," Deputy Tully said.
Meanwhile, management at Cavan General Hospital has asked the public the avoid the Emergency Department due to high numbers in attendance. People are being advised to visit their GP or pharmacy where possible.
