There needs to be a plan around bed management when transferring patients from hospital to other care settings in Kerry.
That’s according to West Kerry native Phil Ní Sheaghdha, who is general secretary of the Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation.
She met with members of the Kerry INMO branch last night where this issue was discussed.
Ms Ní Sheaghdha says some patients are being moved from hospital to other care settings in the opposite end of the county, far from their homes.
She says planning is needed to ensure patients can be cared for near where their family lives:
Phil Ní Sheaghdha says IMNO members are extremely worried about the care of patients at the moment due to overcrowding.
She was speaking as University Hospital Kerry issued an appeal asking the public not to attend its emergency department unless they need critical care.
Theys say the ED is exceptionally busy at the moment; UHK is asking people to visit pharmacists, GPs, SouthDoc, or the Injury Units in Mallow or Bantry where possible.
General secretary of the INMO Phil Ní Sheaghdha explains how members feel about overcrowding:
