More than 1,000 patients treated on trolleys or chairs in Cork hospitals last month 

More than 1,000 patients were treated on trolleys, chairs, or in other inappropriate bed spaces in Cork hospitals last month, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

The 1,085 patients marks a 28% increase on the figure recorded for May 2025.

Cork University Hospital recorded the highest number last month at 806 patients. This was the second highest total of any Irish hospital in May, and an increase of 20% on the figure for May 2025.

A further 196 patients were treated on trolleys at Mercy University Hospital and 83 at Bantry General Hospital over the course of last month, up from 174 and two, respectively, form the May 2025 figure. 

Nationally, 9,811 patients were treated on trolleys in May. University Hospital Limerick had the highest number at 2,018, followed by CUH.

St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, Sligo University Hospital and University Hospital Galway had 783, 782 and 769 patients treated on trolleys, respectively.

So far this year, 7,027 patients have been treated on trolleys in Cork – 4,536 in CUH, 1,883 in the Mercy and 608 in Bantry.

Far too high

INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The number of people on trolleys in May has been far too high.

“We are seeing regular occurrences of daily counts of over 500 people being treated on trolleys, chairs, or other inappropriate bed spaces.

“Nurses and midwives have made it clear that staffing deficits are impacting their ability to provide safe and timely care. Underpinning safe staffing levels with legislation is the only way to make sure hospitals comply with HIQA recommendations on inadequate staffing.

“If we are seeing these levels of overcrowding now, then serious consideration needs to be given to how the HSE is going to make the acute hospital system safer over the winter months. It is clear that in the majority of sites current systems that are in place are not working.”