Over 1,000 patients treated on trolleys in Cork last month

Nearly 1,100 patients were treated on trolleys in Cork hospitals last month, as Cork University Hospital figures more than doubled from the previous month, making it the third most overcrowded hospital in Ireland in July.

CUH had 889 patients treated on trolleys during July, with an additional 196 patients treated on trolleys in the Mercy.

This compared to 405 in CUH and 183 in the Mercy in June. So far this year, 6,178 and 1,841 patients have been treated on trolleys at CUH and the Mercy respectively.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), which compiles the trolley figures, said that such high numbers at this time of year was a cause for concern.

She said: “The figures speak for themselves, and high trolley numbers in summer only send a negative message to our healthcare workers and the people of this country.

“Nurses and midwives are disheartened heading into the autumn/winter, and they already know they will have to endure the added pressure of flu and other viral infections, including covid.

“In the space of 10 years, the number of people receiving care on a trolley outside of the emergency department has risen by 30%.

“The Government’s capital plan must include expanding the number of beds. Our members are already providing care under stress and strain due to hospital overcrowding and that has a negative impact on them and the patients in their care.

“All signs are pointing towards an extremely busy winter… all trends suggest that we will have another record-breaking year for trolley admissions unless urgent measures are taken.”

Ms Ní Sheaghdha said that in their pre-budget submission the INMO has called for the development of primary care and community services, the expansion of nurse and midwife-led services, and increased bed capacity across the health service.

“There is a remedy for perpetual trolley crises if the Government wishes to invest properly in the health service,” she added.

Her comments came as health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill welcomed a reduction in the amount of people on trolleys after the recent bank holiday weekend, saying she was working to ensure patients can access essential care every day of the week. “The increased presence of consultants on-site over the August bank holiday weekend was a major factor in the significant 51% reduction of trolley numbers when compared to St Brigid’s weekend,” she said.

There were 50 people on trolleys in CUH and eight in the Mercy on Tuesday following the August bank holiday weekend, compared to 74 and 21 after the St Brigid’s Day bank holiday weekend.