01/06/2016

Home care package delays lead to hospital bed blocking

These are the challenges faced in the Health Service in the UK and Ireland every day of the week. Beds been taken up by patients who are much more suitable to be treated at home or in a care home. But the lack of funding and supports is causing a problem and the log jam in hospitals and emergency departments.

In Northern Ireland two month delays in delivering home care packages for vulnerable patients waiting to be discharged from hospital is leading to bed blocking at a troubled health trust. Up to 160 patients have been affected by the crisis at the Northern Trust, which is responsible for Antrim Area and Causeway hospitals. By contrast, there are only four patients enduring eight-week waits in the Southern trust.

The north's five health trusts are currently experiencing severe pressures in A&E departments, with officials issuing pleas that only the most urgent cases attend. An inability to discharge patients is among the factors leading to spiraling delays.

A&E scandals at the Northern organisation have led to several independent probes and scathing reports over the past five years. Similar situations exist in the Republic of Ireland with overcrowding in A&E’s and regular lists been published by the INMO (Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation) of patients waiting on trollies.

Source: IrishNews

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