Nurses to hold urgent meetings to discuss hospital overcrowding crisis

INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha: 'It is clear that the spread of viruses is going to have a detrimental impact on patient flow throughout our hospitals.'

Nurses in hospitals worst affected by overcrowding are to hold urgent meetings to discuss the growing crisis as 592 patients waited on trolleys for a bed on Tuesday.

They are worried about a potential spread of infections including Strep A, norovirus, and covid-19 along the packed corridors and wards.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation warned: “We are seeing trolley figures today that we would usually see at the height of winter.” 

Among those worst-hit were University Hospital Limerick, where 101 patients were left without a bed, and Cork University Hospital, where 72 people waited. 

These patients were waiting on trolleys, chairs, and other inappropriate spaces, the nurses reported.

INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The fact that 592 patients have been admitted to hospital today, October 3, without a bed is a high-risk event.” 

Sharing nurses’ fears, she said: “It is clear that the spread of viruses is going to have a detrimental impact on patient flow throughout our hospitals over the coming weeks.” 

“We will be meeting with INMO members in the most impacted hospitals urgently to discuss how we can approach the winter ahead.” 

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

She highlighted UHL saying the union has counted “over 100 patients a day on trolleys since September 19”.

However, the union's members are now seeing delays in many other sites including Sligo University Hospital, University Hospital Kerry, and Naas General Hospital.

“We are now urgently looking to meet each individual hospital group to hear how they plan to deal with the overcrowding crisis that is materialising in the vast majority of Irish hospitals and how they will protect our members and the patients in their care,” Ms Ni Sheaghdha said.

She called on all hospitals to be upfront with their local communities and issue warnings around potential delays on arrival at any emergency department as well as immediate solutions.