Waiting times at Mayo hospital rise significantly over past decade

Waiting times for patients at the emergency department of Mayo University Hospital have risen significantly over the past decade.

Figures released by the Department of Health of Aontú leader Deputy Peadar Tóibín show they have increased from four hours in 2015 to 6.6 hours this year.

Commenting on the data, Deputy Tóibín said: “Average wait times in our emergency departments are among the most important indicators of their functionality.

“Extended wait times in ­emergency departments lead to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes for patients.

"They also show the enormous pressure that is on our hospital emergency departments."

The Meath TD pointed out that the figures, when compared to 2015, show that on ­average, hundreds of thousands of patients wait for more than one hour longer for treatment in emergency departments around the country than they did 10 years ago.

He added that 7.2 hours is the average wait time for a patient nationally, but for many hospitals, it is much worse.

“A key question here which I believe the HSE needs to answer is: how many people have died because they were left waiting too long before being seen in an emergency department?

“We need to ensure that we redirect investment away from the layers of administration to the front line,” he added.

Meanwhile, there are 24 admitted patients left without beds at Mayo University Hospital today.

They are being accommodated on trolleys or chairs in the emergency department or in wards elsewhere.

Nationally, 467 admitted patients are waiting for beds, according to today’s INMO Trolley Watch.