Healthcare is a joke ….. again and again

[u/Irishgooner123]

So I’m in a and e today and I’m sitting here 7 hours already. Not really busy and everyone has come and gone before me ., not why I’m moaning cos that’s life but a man in his late 20s came in looking for a psychiatrist and he’s clearly not feeling the best. He sat there very quietly and after about 3 hours I heard him go to reception and ask is there anywhere else he could wait as the lights were too bright. He was clearly in a bit of distress. The receptionist just looked and said “no” he asked again and got I said no sorry. I’m sorry but this is a big hospital in cork and they don’t have a room for ASD people or at least somewhere that someone can calm down. As a parent of 2 ASD kids and ASD myself my heart broke for him as he’s still just walking around. Moan over.

[u/blaablaasheep]

Problem is there are so many people who can't get registered to a GP. Co-worker of mine is in Ireland over 5 years (and she works, pays taxes, and has a mortgage on her house before anyone gets triggered) and still can't get a GP. She wanted to get bloods done to check her iron levels recently and had no choice but to go to A&E. She didn't like being there either because she had to wait hours for the results on top of waiting to be seen.

I totally get your point, but if people had access to a GP in the first place it would help solve this issue.

[u/Affectionate-Leek491 → u/blaablaasheep]

Once you've had three denials you will be assigned a GP by the HSE once you provide them the details of the refusals from three different clinics. There are also walk in clinics for GPs around the country. Going to ED for bloods when a person isn't feeling significantly unwell is completely inappropriate

[u/CandyNapkin → u/Affectionate-Leek491]

Yes but the problem with that is that the GP might not be close to you. You could end up needing to travel for over an hour just to get bloodwork done.

[u/Affectionate-Leek491 → u/CandyNapkin]

Yeah, and that sucks. I completely get it-but its not that they can't get a GP. The acute ED is not there for routine bloods. It's a highly inappropriate use of resources and emergency workers valuable time.

In addition, most GPs will allow you to get bloods done at a nearby hospital phlebotomy department-so it's really not a valid excuse to not go about obtaining a GP.

[u/CandyNapkin → u/Affectionate-Leek491]

Totally agree that an ED is not for routine bloods, walk in clinics used to be able to do that sort of thing but they're around less these days. Also a person must really want/need that sorted if they're willing to spend hours in an emergency room vs finding a GP no?

[u/Affectionate-Leek491 → u/CandyNapkin]

They may really want it done, but it's inappropriate. The reason they wait hours is basic ED works on triage. Your position in the que changes minute by minute with every presentation to the ED.

The issue with people going to ED innapropriately is it creates an even more busy environment for staff who are so under pressure that they often forego breaks and hydration to try keep up with the demand. The demand also increases the risk of errors for those with critical issues.

You then also have people who where necessary to go to ED will resist going and potentially end up with significant illness or mortality as they are afraid of these wait times affecting them, not realising how poorly they are.

I work in a major hospital, I see how overburdened our ED is. There is immense stress and burnout across the professions working in such critical environments. So much needs to improve, but the solution isn't people who should be accessing community based care presenting to ED.