January 2025 worst month for hospital overcrowding on record

This figure was recorded following several INMO warnings in the new year, over consistently high levels of overcrowding, and the risks associated with flu surges, and extreme weather.

January was the worst month for hospital overcrowding on record, as over 13,972 people were treated without beds, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

This figure was recorded following several INMO warnings in the new year, over consistently high levels of overcrowding, and the risks associated with flu surges, and extreme weather.

University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded hospital in January with 2,234 patients there waiting on trolleys.

It was followed by Cork University Hospital which saw 2,234 patients without a bed.

Galway University Hospital (1,388), Sligo University Hospital (852), and St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin (807) complete the top five worst affected hospitals.

Commenting on the figures, INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “So few measures were taken to reduce overcrowding this month despite the very clear risks for injury and illness across the country. The result has been the worst overcrowding we have ever seen."

According to Ms Ní Sheaghdha, trolleys have been "particularly high" over the last week, and the system is "totally overwhelmed" heading into another bank holiday weekend.

She said that the HSE "has not done everything that they possibly can" and that their winter plan is "failing."

"The HSE must outline exactly how much private capacity they have acquired from the private sector and confirm that senior decision-makers are on site in each hospital this weekend.

"Only a few short weeks into this year our members are telling us they are exhausted and demoralised. Seeing yet another staggering record broken tells our members the situation is being permitted to get even worse for them and for their patients," she added.

She said nurses and midwives have voted in favour of industrial action because they know that the current recruitment obstacles and the attitude to staffing "absolutely need to change under the new government."

“This has been an extremely dangerous and disappointing start to 2025 for nurses, midwives and patients alike. The new government must be laser focused on safe staffing, increasing bed capacity and fulfilling its basic duties for a viable health service and safe workplaces, before this situation is allowed to get even worse,” she concluded.

Dr Mick Molloy, consultant in emergency medicine at Wexford hospital, described the situation facing patients in many hospitals as “an inhumane environment”.

He himself has spent days on a trolley, at a different hospital, when ill and recalled there was simply no space to offer him a bed.

He talked about the impact on sick, vulnerable people as they try to recover from illness of the noise, the bright lights and constant movement of people.

He called for urgent investment in space for patients, pointing to a report which indicated 5,000 extra beds are needed nationally.

“We need that and we probably need double that at this stage,” he told RTÉ radio. “What could be done is very short quick modular builds which could be re-useable from site to site.” 

He added this could “effectively create additional capacity very quickly in the system if there is political will to do so”.

Dr Molloy also said the situation is very difficult for staff, as they are “all day every day explaining and apologising for the lack of space”.

They worry patients are not getting the best treatment due to the overcrowded conditions.

Sinn Fein health spokesman David Cullinane supported the call for modular units, saying he met with Department of Health officials on this previously.