Sir, – It is true that in the first quarter of 2018, almost 15,000 patients over 75 years spent greater than 24 hours on a trolley in an emergency department (ED) awaiting a bed (News, April 22nd). This is completely unacceptable. However, it is incorrect to say patients spent this time "waiting for care".
On arrival and throughout their time in ED, patients, including increasing numbers of those aged over 75, are assessed, treated and expertly “cared for” by emergency nurses, emergency medicine consultants, doctors in training and many other staff. – Yours, etc,
Dr EMILY O’CONOR,
President,
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Irish Association
for Emergency Medicine,
Dublin 2.