Almost 5,000 people have died in hospital emergency departments since 2019

Almost 5,000 people have died in hospital emergency departments in the Republic over the last five years.

A new report from the Irish Medical Times shows over 1,000 of those deaths happened last year alone, 200 more than in 2019.

The report also said the number of people presenting at emergency departments increased by 110,000 in that time.

Medical journalist Michael McHale told Newstalk radio that certain locations have suffered more than others, with the number of deaths rising starkly.

“In three hospitals, Beaumont Hospital, University Hospital Galway, Sligo University Hospital, they saw the number of deaths more than double in 2023 compared to 2019, so it is an issue that is affecting some hospitals more than others,” Mr McHale said.

Cork University Hospital saw the highest number of deaths in its emergency department, at 158 – up from 49 five years ago.

It was followed by St Vincent’s University Hospital with 479 deaths and St James’ Hospital with 344 deaths.

University Hospital Limerick, which has been under intense focus amid chronic overcrowding in its emergency department, saw 239 deaths during the five-year period. There were 226 deaths at University Hospital Waterford.

The rising number of deaths in the country's emergency departments is being attributed to a growing and ageing population.

The data was released to the Irish Medical Times under the Freedom of Information Act.