395 patients were being treated on trolleys in Ireland’s hospitals this morning, INMO figures have revealed.
The union is warning that overcrowding mixed with poor ventilation could put hospitals at risk of becoming “infection hotspots”.
The union is calling for maximum protection for frontline staff, including “audits and action” for ventilation in healthcare workplaces.
The most overcrowded hospitals in Ireland today are:
- Cork University Hospital – 50
- University Hospital Limerick – 42
- University Hospital Galway – 37
- Sligo University Hospital – 29
- Letterkenny University Hospital – 27
- Mayo University Hospital – 27
The highest previous figure for patients on trolleys since the pandemic began was 385 on the 10th of August.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:
Overcrowded hospitals can act as infection hotspots for COVID. Vaccination has made a massive difference, but there are still big dangers for frontline healthcare workers.
They are being regularly exposed to the virus and our members have reported long-term impacts. We need maximum protection for frontline staff.
We need to see proper audits of every healthcare workplace to ensure that ventilation meets a high standard. We have a huge amount of data on how this virus spreads – now it is time to act on it.
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