Taoiseach ‘concerned’ by growing pressure on hospitals

It is hoped the HSE’s winter action plan will help alleviate some pressure on hospitals across the country.

The comment by Taoiseach Micheál Martin came as management at Cavan General appealed to people to only attend the local hospital’s Emergency Department if absolutely necessary after it once again came under increasing pressure.

The message circulated by management warned of “delays” and “limited bed capacity” and urged people to seek alternatives unless in an emergency situation.

The Taoiseach said Covid-19 is continuing to have an impact on health services and how they operate.

“Covid-19 continues to have a very negative impact in terms of delays, in terms of pressures on the system because of the various protocols that have to be applied,” he stated, speaking at an event in Monaghan earlier this morning.

The latest HSE Operations update available, from Monday, August 29, shows there are seven confirmed Covid cases at Cavan General at present, with one presentation in the past 24 hours.

That number remained static over the weekend, but has risen over the past week.

At present there is one patient being treated for Covid symptoms in the hospital’s Intensive Care or High Dependency units.

The Fianna Fail leader added that the Government is “concerned” about the potential for disruption in hospitals this winter.

“We are concerned about the winter period in terms of both flu and a wave of Covid before the end of the year. Covid is still with us.”

The annual winter plan for the health service is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and the Taoiseach believes this will have an impact.

“We’re going to basically continue to work on the winter plan. The Minister is working with his officials on the plan in the coming months to deal with what will be a very challenging period because of the flu, because of the continued prevalence of Covid-19.”

READ MORE: Hospital warns of delays