Hospital Overcrowding in Ireland ‘Out of Control’ Ahead of Winter
Dublin: Ireland’s hospitals are experiencing severe overcrowding, raising serious concerns about their capacity to cope with the demands of the upcoming winter season. Healthcare professionals are alarmed at the current situation, as hospitals across the country are struggling to manage patient volumes, even before winter pressures take hold.
According to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) as part of its ‘Trolley Watch’ campaign, a staggering 9,635 patients were left without hospital beds this month. The union reported that in just three of the country’s busiest hospitals, over 3,000 patients were forced to wait on trolleys for treatment.
Limerick University Hospital topped the list as the busiest hospital, with 1,735 patients waiting for treatment in the past month. Cork University Hospital followed closely with 1,263 patients, while Galway University Hospital saw 959 patients awaiting care.
Dr. Edward Mathews, Deputy General Secretary of the INMO, expressed deep concern over the current state of the health system, emphasising that hospitals are finding it increasingly difficult to provide safe care without adequate staffing. He stated, “Entering yet another winter without sufficient staffing levels presents a significant challenge. The HSE’s refusal to lift the ban on recruitment is not only short-sighted but also highly irresponsible.”
The INMO has called for immediate action to address the staffing crisis, including removing barriers to the recruitment of nurses and midwives and increasing the number of available hospital beds. The organisation warns that without sufficient staff, the challenges facing hospitals this winter will only worsen, leaving patients to endure long waits and inadequate care.
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