Man tells of mum's experience waiting 72 hours for bed in Naas A&E

A KildareNow reader emailed us today with his story of his mother's experience in Naas Hospital amid a nationwide overcrowding crisis.

The woman, who is aged in her 70s, wasn't well over the Christmas period with her breathing.

Kdoc prescribed a course of antibiotics which didn't seem to help.

On Monday, the local medical centre recommended going to Naas Hospital.

72 hours 

The man said: "We got to Naas Hospital at 12.30 pm. The place was like a disaster movie set.

"I've never seen so many ambulances lined up outside or the number of people waiting inside.

My mum was waiting 9 hours before she was seen by a doctor. She is now still in A&E over 72 hours later waiting on a bed.

She is also beside people with signs on their curtain saying 'Infection. Use protective clothing' They be in a closed room with a door - not a curtain.

Staff at breaking point 

The poor staff there are at breaking point.

My mam is elderly and frail and needs to be turned every hour to avoid bed sores and follow on infections from them.

We are doing this as the staff do not have the time but when we are not there I don't know what's happening about it.

Not in the slightest am I criticising staff. They are fantastic and are doing their very best in a horrendous situation that our government has caused.

I'm asking what does the future hold for our health system if it's in this state in 2018."