HSE recruitment freeze referred to Workplace Relations Commission

UHL had 131 people waiting for a bed at 8am this morning, 50 of whom were in the Emergency Department. File picture

University Hospital Limerick (UHL) is the most overcrowded hospital today as 583 patients are waiting on trolleys in hospitals around the country.

According to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), of the 583 patients, 12 are children.

UHL had 131 people waiting for a bed at 8am on Wednesday, 50 of whom were in the Emergency Department. Cork University Hospital is the second-most overcrowded with 74 people waiting for beds followed by University Hospital Galway.

Meanwhile, the INMO has said that the current recruitment moratorium is having a negative impact on staff and patients alike. The moratorium has been referred to the Workplace Relations Commission and is due to be heard on Thursday.

INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that virtually all hospitals are running without adequate staff numbers due to the hiring freeze and this is only worsening the issue of overcrowding.

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She said that the situation cannot be allowed to continue as it is having a detrimental impact on patient and staff safety.

"The recruitment moratorium as it stands poses very serious health and safety risks to nurses and midwives who find themselves working short continuously," said Ms Ní Sheaghdha.

"It further deteriorates the increasingly dangerous work environment for nurses and midwives, makes creating a safe environment for patients impossible and will have long-term impacts on retaining and recruiting staff.” 

She also raised concerns about the upcoming bank holiday weekend.

"The number of patients being treated without a bed in Irish hospitals, particularly in the Midwest, is very concerning and does not bode well for the Easter bank holiday weekend ahead," said Ms Ní Sheaghdha. "The HSE needs to immediately outline how it will be planning to discharge patients ahead of the weekend."