CUH most overcrowded hospital in Ireland this morning

Cork University Hospital is the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland today, with 50 admitted patients waiting for beds.

38 of those are in the emergency department. 

Elsewhere in Cork, there are 11 patients waiting on a bed in the Mercy University hospital and nine in Bantry General, bringing to 70 the number of patients on trolleys or in overflow corridors in Cork.

This comes less than a week after nurses and midwives threatened possible industrial action in the region unless issues at CUH are addressed.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has sought engagement with HSE management to discuss the issues and warned it could curtail services unless urgent action is taken.

The union said Cork health services have been plunged into a crisis due to record overcrowding, hundreds of vacant frontline positions including in nursing, and chronic recruitment and retention issues.

“There will need to be measures put in place to address overcrowding and shortages,” said INMO industrial relations officer for Cork, Liam Conway. “Otherwise or members will have to consider alternative action such as industrial action.” 

Last month saw more than 1,000 patients waiting on trolleys or wards for a bed at the hospital. Mr Conway said the conditions for patients and staff in CUH are intolerable and unsafe. 

He added the health service cannot enter the autumn/winter period with no plan in place to address this.