Earplugs for patients on trollies in Portlaoise hospital's A&E

Portlaoise hospital's management says it was “really focused” on improving patient experience in A&E in 2019 and is taking further steps this year.

Among the measures planned are comfort packs, a sensory area and take-home medications.

In response to the need to improve the A&E experience, the hospital is planning comfort packs for all after a successful trial.

“Comfort packs include items such as anti-slip socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, refreshing wipes, eye mask and earplugs,” said management's response, published in the patient survey.

Another initiative on the cards is aimed at accommodating patients with different needs.

“For example, we are developing a sensory area for distressed patients with dementia,” say those who run the hospital.

Take home medication is also being trialled.

“This involves providing patients who are seen out-of-hours with one day's supply of antibiotics to ensure that there is no delay in starting their treatment,” said the hospital.

Extra hospital beds or extra staff are not mentioned in management's response to tackle A&E delays raised by patients in the recently published HSE National Inpatient Experience Survey. However, management says five beds were opened in the new Acute Medical Assessment Unit in 2019 to improve patient flow.