Trolley watch: 682 patients waiting for beds amid 'dangerous' hospital overcrowding

Kenneth Fox

Over 682 patients were being treated on trolleys, chairs or in other inappropriate bed spaces in Irish hospitals on Monday morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded hospital with 98 people without beds followed by University Hospital Galway with 80 people on trollies.

INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The number of patients being treated without a bed in Irish hospitals is very concerning and does not bode well for the St.Brigid’s day bank holiday weekend ahead.

"Dangerous levels of overcrowding is not confined to one or two hospitals, we are seeing extremely high number of patients being treated in inappropriate spaces right across the country.

“The HSE needs to immediately outline how it will be planning to discharge patients ahead of the weekend including the rostering on of senior clinical decision-makers across all sites.

“The sheer number of patients on trolleys is not helped by the fact that practically all hospitals are running short because of the HSE recruitment freeze which is having a detrimental impact on patient and staff safety.

“We are continuing to hear from our members that vulnerable patients being are being placed on infection control and other high-risk wards, despite nursing staff identifying significant risks. This practice needs to end."

She said it was clear there was no let up for patients and nursing staff trying to care safely in impossible conditions.