Hospitals facing staff illness, bed shortages and rising patient numbers this winter

During August, Cork University Hospital saw 22.8% more patients than in August 2019. File picture: Dan Linehan

Patients attending Irish hospitals this winter face unprecedented challenges as hospitals report high levels of staff illness, bed shortages and spiralling patient numbers.

A detailed submission to the Oireachtas Health Committee this week from seven hospital groups, seen by the Irish Examiner, shows record numbers of patients attending most hospitals in parallel with staff shortages linked to recruitment challenges and Covid-19 leading to cancellations, even in children’s hospitals.