Surgery cancelled at overcrowded hospital

A larger than usual number of patients presented for treatment in the A and E department this weekend, resulting at one stage in a backlog of over 40 people.

A spokesman for the hospital said that more beds have been made available and extra nurses have been called in.

The Irish Nurses Organisation has joined SIPTU's call for action to address 'chronic overcrowding' at Beaumont hospital in Dublin.

SIPTU has called on the management of Beaumont Hospital in Dublin to deal with what it has described as huge overcrowding.

A number of extra beds have now been opened up to bring the number of patients lying on trolleys down in Accident and Emergency from 44 to 25.

A hospital spokesman told RTE news that a number of extra consultants had to be called in to the hospital this afternoon to discharge patients.

The hospital was also taken off call for two hours, which led to a decrease in the number of people seeking treatment.

SIPTU had earlier drawn attention to 44 patients waiting on beds and 15 who had to stay on chairs.

A management spokesman conceded that there was a lot of pressure on the hospital this weekend but that attempts were being made to correct the situation.

The spokesman said that on Friday beds were re-opened to cope with extra patients and there was a full complement of nursing staff on this weekend.

All non-emergency surgery at the hospital tomorrow has been cancelled.