A 73-YEAR-OLD disabled man who spent nearly three days on a trolley at Wexford General Hospital has described the situation in the facility as “unbearable” and said that the whole health system needs an overhaul.
Terry Canavan from Wilton, Bree was one of over 600 people nationwide who was left on a trolley in his local hospital after he presented himself in the Accident & Emergency Unit with a heart complaint.
“I went into the hospital at 3 p.m. on Saturday with pains in my chest and was put on a trolley. I was left on it until 10 p.m. on Monday night when I was finally given a bed in a ward but I should, by right, be in the Coronary Care unit.”
Mr. Canavan, who has recurring heart problems, said that the situation was the worst he had ever seen but was quick to commend the staff who he said were doing their best in a difficult situation.
“The staff and nurses are doing their best, it’s not their fault. They are inundated and are working 24/7 but without doubt, you got the impression that there simply wasn’t enough staff to cope with what was going on.”
He added: “I was in here at this time of the year last year and on previous occasions but I’ve never seen it as bad as this. I’ve never been put on a trolley before. I’m 73 but there are people older than me here and they’re in the same position as I am. For someone of our age, two nights on a trolley is heavy going.”
[Full story in this week’s Echo]