A 61-year-old Mayo man in need of an urgent operation after being diagnosed with gangrene in his big toe has spent 11 days waiting for a bed at Galway's University College Hospital.
The delay in admitting the man, who is diabetic, has been condemned by a local TD and GP, who claims the delay in removing the man's toe could have allowed the infection spread and could result in the patient losing his foot.
Dr Jerry Cowley said yesterday it was disgraceful a patient with gangrene should have to wait so long for a bed.
"It is a terrible scandal because gangrene is so dangerous and can go through a diabetic like lightning. It is an infection in the tissues. The tissue just dies and has to be cut away to prevent it spreading," he said.
The patient's condition was diagnosed when he was admitted to Mayo General Hospital 11 days ago. However, as that hospital does not have a vascular surgeon, the man was told he would have to be transferred to Galway for his operation. He spent 11 days waiting for a bed. One was finally found for him there yesterday.
The Health Service Executive Western Area said the patient was being transferred from Mayo General Hospital to the Galway hospital yesterday afternoon. It blamed the delay on pressure on beds at Galway, where there are often patients on trolleys in the A&E department.
"This, combined with the temporary closure of some wards over the past two weeks to new admissions due to incidence of [ the winter vomiting bug], has created further pressures on beds," it said.
Dr Cowley said the 61-year-old Ballina man had already had one leg amputated and if he lost another as a result of a delay in operating on him it would be disgraceful. "I spoke to the patient last night. It looked like he was going to lose a foot because it has dragged on for 11 days," he said.
"I think it's totally unacceptable that somebody could be left so long with gangrene. People have a right to a certain standard of care," he added.
Dr Cowley also said it was totally demoralising for staff who have to bear witness to the terrible pain and suffering and deterioration in illness experienced by those waiting for beds.