The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has revealed that more than 118,662 patients have been without a hospital bed so far in 2022, making it the worst year for hospital overcrowding on record.
In hospitals across the country today, 624 patients are on trolleys waiting for a bed.
Twenty-six of those are at University Hospital Galway and 16 are at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that once again, today’s trolley figures are “extremely concerning”.
She said that we have reached an overcrowding milestone today in that 2022 is officially the worst year for hospital overcrowding on record.
It is clear, Ms Ní Sheaghdha said, that there is a “dearth of ambition” to tackle the “extremely serious problem.”
“We commend that some hospital groups have curtailed non-urgent care and asked that people seek alternative care pathways if they can but it is clear that the HSE and the Government are not taking this issue as seriously as they should be.”
Ní Sheaghdha said that nurses and midwives are under serious pressure, particularly those working in triage and in emergency departments.
“Long delays, inadequate bed space and unsafe staffing are making it impossible to provide safe care.
“Silence from decision makers shows that this out-of-control overcrowding is accepted when it absolutely shouldn’t be.
“The State must do better for our nurses, healthcare workers and patients sick enough to be admitted to hospital.”
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