The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is expressing concerns about hospital overcrowding in the upcoming Winter given the current number of patients receiving care on trolleys at present.
Over 7,832 patients, including 138 children, went without a bed in Irish hospitals this July according to the nursing union.
TrolleyWatch figures show 72,391 patients have gone without a bed in 2023, a 10% increase in the same time period in 2022.
The INMO says staff cannot be expected to endure these working conditions for another winter.
As over 23% of patients on trolleys in July were treated in University Hospital Limerick the union says it is a serious concern for nurses at UHL The union says care is being compromised for patients in University Hospital Limerick because of severe nursing deficits, with over 48 vacant posts, representing a 35% vacancy rate, in the Emergency Department.
Top 5 most overcrowded hospitals in the month of July are;
- University Hospital Limerick – 1,824
Sligo University Hospital – 615
St Vincent’s University Hospital – 592
CUH – 591
Galway – 541
Top 5 most overcrowded hospitals – January – July 2023
University Hospital Limerick – 11,787
Cork University Hospital – 7,568
University Hospital Galway – 5,452
Sligo University Hospital – 4,541
St Vincent’s University Hospital – 4,351
