Irish hospitals often run at 105% capacity, Oireachtas health committee told

Consultants warn that it is accepted internationally that a bed occupancy rate of anything over 85% creates challenges in hospitals

University Hospital Limerick is 'a severe example' of overcrowding nationwide, members of the Irish Medical Organisation told politicians.

Irish hospitals are often running at 105% capacity, far above the internationally recommended rate of 85%, the Oireachtas health committee was told on a visit to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) on Monday.

UHL is "a severe example" of overcrowding nationwide, members of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), told politicians. On Monday, some 80 people were waiting on trolleys at UHL, again the highest figure in the country.