Patients urged to consider other care options before presenting at Navan A&E

Our Lady's Hospital Navan has asked the public to consider care options such as their pharmacist, GP or Minor Injuries Units before presenting at the A&E Department.

The request comes as Deputy Johnny Guirke said an alarming number of patients were waiting more than 24 hours for care at Navan Emergency Department. He says the figures, which were obtained by Sinn Féin from the HSE, suggest that hospital overcrowding is on track to return to pre-pandemic levels this year.

However, a spokesperson for the hospital said emergency departments (ED) across the country continue to be extremely busy and the sickest patients are prioritised.

“Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan asks members of the public to consider all care options before attending the hospital’s ED.

“There are a range of care pathways available to patients who do not need emergency care including Pharmacists, GP, GP Out of Hours Services and Minor Injury Units,” the spokesperson said.

Deputy Guirke said that much more must be done to ensure that patients at Navan receive high quality and timely care without these delays.

"An alarming number of people have been left waiting for more than 24 hours to be seen at the Navan ED. “Behind every number is a patient who needed timely care and was left to wait for far too long.

“People attend emergency departments because they require urgent care. This scandal is happening because of process and leadership failures across the health service.

"Let me be clear, the staff at Navan Hospital are doing an incredible job, working under pressure to do their very best to serve our community. But they are being let down by a lack of funding, planning and leadership by the government.

"Every patient should have a discharge plan with a recovery bed in a community setting.

"Crucially, we need to roll out specialist medical wards and fill the vacant consultant posts.

"A specific plan is needed for Navan Hospital. The Minister must lead from the front

“Staff at Navan are working day and night to look after our community, but they aren’t getting the support they need from government.

The spokesperson for Navan Hospital said EDs across the country continue to be extremely busy with high numbers of patients attending, many of whom present with complex needs requiring admission.

“Our Lady’s Hospital Navan, regrets that patients may experience long wait times in their Emergency Department. However, as always, Emergency Departments will prioritise the sickest patients and most urgent cases for treatment and care.

“In line with the HSE Winter Plan, a number of measures are being taken to manage high emergency attendances, in order to de-escalate and assist with patient flow.

He urged the public to look at other care pathways before attending the ED.

“The management and staff of Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan apologises for any inconvenience caused to patients and their families. They thank the public for their understanding and cooperation,” he said.