INMO figures show almost 800 patients without hospital beds after bank holiday weekend

University Hospital Limerick had the highest number of patients on trolleys this Tuesday. File photo. Picture: Dan Linehan

Nearly 800 people were being treated without a bed across Irish hospitals on Tuesday, according to new figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The figures, published by INMO this morning, revealed there are 777 patients being treated without a hospital bed nationwide, with almost 300 people on trolleys across hospitals in Limerick, Cork, Galway, and Letterkenny.

In total, there are 499 people being treated on trolleys in emergency departments across Irish hospitals today, with a further 278 on trolleys in wards elsewhere.

Of those being treated without a bed, five are under the age of 16. 

The hospitals with the highest number of patients on trolleys include University Hospital Limerick, with 108, Letterkenny University Hospital, with 62, Cork University Hospital, with 58, and University Hospital Galway, with 56.

INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said this level of overcrowding is "so dangerous".

"It is hard to see how the employer can stand over conditions in any hospital in the country.

"It is not acceptable that something as ordinary as a bank holiday weekend can result in this level of risk for patients and staff," said Ms Ní Sheaghdha.

"On any given day our members are stretched to the limit, caring for too many patients in understaffed wards," she added.

Ahead of the winter period, Ms Ní Sheaghdha has said recruitment and staff planning are prioritised. 

"It is absolutely vital, coming into the busiest time of year, that all vacant posts are filled as a matter of urgency and that recruitment and staff planning move to the top of the HSE’s agenda," she said.