IAEM lauds exceptional efforts made by Emergency Department staff during recent extreme weather
The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine recognises the enormous efforts made by staff working in Ireland’s 29 Emergency Departments (EDs) to ensure that they continued to provide emergency services to the public during the recent severe weather. The combination of the Beast from the East and Storm Emma brought with it weather not seen for a generation and made any kind of travel, particularly in the East and South of the country, very dangerous. It is remarkable therefore that the EDs serving the parts of the country hardest hit managed to continue to function in spite of the near impossibility of travel. The Association thanks the staff concerned for their herculean efforts. This feat was achieved by a variety of means including shift swapping, staff sleeping in hospitals and local hotels and some walking long distances to make it to work in spite of treacherous conditions underfoot. The contribution made by members of the local community as well as county and national services in assisting staff to get to work cannot be underestimated and the Irish public should be extremely grateful to the many people who so willingly went the extra mile. At a time when EDs are crowded with admitted hospital inpatients and are often criticised for the service they offer as a consequence (in spite of the fact that the presence of admitted inpatients on trolleys is due to circumstances outside of EDs’ control) it is important to recognise the commitment and professionalism of the nursing, medical and other staff that work in EDs which came to the fore during this very difficult period.
It seems likely that many patients in the worst affected areas will have injuries or illnesses which they have been unable to receive treatment for during the recent severe weather. It is likely therefore that this coming week will be particularly busy with patients attending EDs as a result. We can anticipate therefore that EDs will be very busy and there will be delays for patients in receiving treatment, particularly for those with a lower clinical priority.
The Association also acknowledges the sterling efforts of our pre-hospital care colleagues in continuing to provide an excellent service during such difficult time at not-insignificant risks to themselves.
