Cork hospital among most overcrowded hospitals in the country this year, says INMO

A Cork hospital has been named the second-most overcrowded hospital in the country in 2023.

According to new figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), over 121,526 patients have gone without a bed in Irish hospitals in 2023- making it the worst year for hospital overcrowding on record.

The Organisation said that the five most overcrowded hospitals in 2023 were: University Hospital Limerick (21,141 patients), Cork University Hospital (12,487 patients), University Hospital Galway (8,914 patients), Sligo University Hospital (8,094 patients), St. Vincent’s University Hospital (6,555 patients).

According to the INMO figures, more than 17,400 admitted patients were left waiting for beds at hospitals in Cork during 2023.

In addition to the 12,487 admitted patients who waited for beds at CUH, it said 1,058 patients waited for beds at Bantry General Hospital and 3,868 patients were on trolleys at the Mercy University Hospital over the year.

Some 517 patients are on trolleys in Irish hospitals today.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha voiced concern over the figures.

“For the second year in a row we have broken overcrowding records.

“The year is not even over and 121,526 patients have been admitted to hospital without a bed.

“Over 3,450 children have been on trolleys so far this year, an increase of 24% on the previous year. 

"This is not something to celebrate and was entirely predictable," she said. 

Ms Ní Sheaghdha was critical of the impact of the HSE recruitment freeze on the situation and appealed for urgent action on the issue.