7,392 patients on trolleys in June

7,392 admitted patients were forced to wait without hospital beds in June 2019, according to a new monthly analysis by the INMO.
 
This is a 7% increase compared to last year. The 25th of June saw 482 patients on trolleys, the highest total for any day in June since records began, and 49% higher than the same day in 2018.
 
Cork University Hospital, South Tipperary General Hospital, Sligo University Hospital, University Hospital Waterford and Tallaght University Hospital all recorded their worst-ever June for overcrowding.
 
Among the 7,392 patients waiting for beds were 55 children. The worst-affected hospitals in June were:
 
Cork University Hospital: 834 patients
University Hospital Limerick: 833 patients
University Hospital Galway: 546 patients
Tallaght University Hospital: 496 patients
University Hospital Waterford: 495 patients
 
INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: 

Our members tell us that there’s no longer a summer respite when it comes to overcrowding. Summer 2019 is as bad as winter was five years ago. Understaffing is driving year-round unsafe conditions.
 
The government and HSE need to get a handle on this problem. That means implementing the Safe Staffing Framework and making real progress on Sláintecare. Without serious investment and reform, this problem will continue to spiral, with patients and frontline staff paying the price.