Over 10,515 patients were treated on trolleys, chairs or in another inappropriate bed space in October according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
The top 5 most overcrowded hospitals include:
- University Hospital Limerick (1,876 patients)
- Cork University Hospital (1,126 patients)
- University Hospital Galway (989 patients)
- St. Vincent’s University Hospital (681 patients)
- Sligo University Hospital (663 patients)
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:
The fact that over ten thousand sick people were treated on a trolley this October is a grim indicator for the level of overcrowding we are bound to see over the winter period.
Staffing is an issue across all hospitals. Not having a safe number of nursing staff in our emergency departments, inpatient wards, long term care and community services continues to exacerbate the persistent problem of overcrowding in our hospitals.
Again this winter, our members are not assured that their safety and that of their patients is a priority. The HSE and Government must protect frontline services by lifting the recruitment embargo immediately and accelerating the hiring process, which has been hindered by the current pay and numbers strategy. These delays now result in nearly 12 months to approve replacements for essential nursing and midwifery posts. Without the safe level of staffing patients cannot be assured of a safe service, this is avoidable and must be corrected immediately.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
441 patients are on trolleys today (November 1st 2024)