Over 2,000 patients on trolleys at UHL during October

UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick has the highest levels of overcrowding of hospitals around Ireland for the second month in a row.

Figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show that 10,538 patients including 273 children went without a bed in October. 

2,043 patients were on trolleys in October at UHL, a significantly higher number than the next hospital on the list, Cork University Hospital with 1,034.

It's also a significant increase from this time last year, with only 1,268 patients on trolleys in UHL in October 2022.

"We are once again seeing an unacceptable amount of patients on trolleys the day after a bank holiday," said INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghda.

"Over the three days of the weekend an additional 166 patients were admitted to hospital without beds. The system needs to get a grip on the out of control levels of overcrowding that occur following public holidays. 

"The fact that over ten thousand people went without hospital beds in the month of October is concerning. There is acute pressure along the western seaboard. 

Almost 18,000 people without beds in University Hospital Limerick so far this year

"We know that there is less staff to deal with the growing demand in our health system that it has a knock on impact on both patient and staff safety. Unsafe staffing levels are going to be a feature of this winter unless we see targeted recruitment and retention plans in each hospital and community care area to allow for more nurses and midwives to be recruited at the pace in which we need them," Ms Ní Sheaghda continued.

"Again this winter, our members are not assured that their safety and that of their patients is a priority. The HSE and Government must outline what steps are being taken both at national and local level to dramatically reduce the number of patients on trolleys."

The top 5 most overcrowded hospitals for October are University Hospital Limerick (2,043 patients); Cork University Hospital (1,034 patients); Sligo University Hospital (730 patients); University Hospital Galway (662 patients) and Mater University Hospital (609 patients).