Staffing crisis delaying surgeries in Mayo University Hospital

Mayo University Hospital medics have informed patients that there is a staffing crisis in the hospital which is resulting in some waiting days for surgery on broken bones.

A number of surgeries have been delayed in Mayo University Hospital in the last number of days with the shortage of theatre nurses being blamed for the delays.

Patients in the orthopaedic ward of Mayo University Hospital who are awaiting surgery were informed this morning that there is no guarantee when they will have surgery today due to the shortage of theatre nurses currently on call.

Pamela O'Donnell told The Mayo News that her son who broke his tibia on Tuesday morning is still awaiting surgery and was informed this morning that he will have it between today and Monday.

“The surgeon’s team said to us that you do realise there is a crisis in the hospital for the last four days and there is a big backlog of patients waiting for surgery. They cannot refuse to take patients in and they cannot do anything for them.

“The surgeon said that he is here on call until Monday and between now and Monday he will have the surgery done but it is not good enough. We have been told that there is an issue with staff in the theatre and the surgeon is ready to go and operate but he doesn't have the staff,” she said.

Pamela said her son broke his tibia in at least two places following a fall on Croagh Patrick and his leg is currently in a cast from his hip to his toe. He was informed on Tuesday afternoon he would have surgery on Wednesday morning but after fasting and waiting for close to 18 hours he was informed the surgery would not go ahead.

“At 12 o'clock last night they put him fasting again and came back again this morning and they said there was no guarantee there was going to be surgery. They were as good as saying there isn't going to be any surgery today. Seemingly people who came in on Monday have not had their surgery,” Pamela said earlier this afternoon.

Pamela said that her son is still lying on a bed in the corridor of the orthopaedic unit and was told there was no bed in any of the wards of him.

“His leg is completely twisted because he cannot keep it straight and the pain is horrendous. The staff are doing what they can for him here but to get him down to the theatre is the problem. I would not be used to dealing with Mayo University Hospital and I tell you I hope I am not back again,” she said.

Castlebar-based Independent councillor Harry Barrett has demanded the HSE immediately address the current staffing crisis in Mayo University saying the current situation is not acceptable.

“I am told this delay is due to a shortage of theatre nursing staff. This is now a four day staffing crisis. The most worrying aspect is that surgeons are available but cannot carry out operations because there are not enough nurses to staff the operating theatres. That is simply not acceptable."

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Cllr Barrett said the situation raises serious concerns for patient safety and for everyone who may require emergency surgery in Mayo over the coming days.

“Nobody expects miracles from our frontline healthcare staff, who are working under enormous pressure, but people are entitled to expect that when they suffer a serious injury they will receive surgery without having to wait days in pain. Leaving patients in corridors while operations are delayed because theatres cannot be staffed is a dangerous situation.”

Cllr Barrett said he is calling on hospital management to immediately clarify the extent of the staffing crisis, explain what emergency measures are being taken to restore theatre capacity and reassure the public that emergency surgical services can continue safely.

Fellow Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne, who is a member of the HSE Regional Health Forum said that not being able to perform surgeries on a broken leg does not inspire confidence.

“I don't know why there is a shortage of theatre nurses but it is not acceptable. If there are people waiting two days to have surgery to be carried out because of a shortage of theatre nurses then that is disgraceful. This could happen to anyone who suffers a fall. They are either operating a theatre service or they are not and it does not inspire confidence. It raises serious questions about the hospital and the Government's commitment to the hospital,” he said.

A series of questions regarding staffing issues were put to the HSE by The Mayo News and we are currently waiting for a response.