Two Kerry TDs, Independent Michael Healy- Rae and Sinn Fein’s Pa Daly, have raised concerns about a HSE directive affecting University Hospital Kerry’s emergency department. They say when there are 20 or more people above what should be in the emergency department, these patients must be moved to a ward, even if there is no space. Jerry spoke to Michael Healy-Rae. After the interview Michael Healy-Rae forwarded an email he received from HSE CEO Bernard Gloster. Mr Gloster sent it while Deputy Healy-Rae was talking to Jerry. Mr Gloster made a number of points and said that since July, the HSE had managed to reduce the numbers on trolleys, both in ED and ward areas, by 22%. He also said this policy to send patients on trolleys to other parts of the hospital had been introduced in 2015 although not all hospitals had adopted it. He said those moved to wards are still counted as patients on trolleys. Mr Gloster also said moving those on trolleys to wards ensures better patient safety.
