Hospital overcrowding 'out of control', with almost 1,600 on trolleys over three days

The INMO says more than 1,591 patients have been on trolleys on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week

So far in May, there have been 7,287 patients on trolleys, according to INMO Trolley Watch figures, with 22% of overcrowding taking place this week. 

The number of patients admitted to Irish hospitals without a bed in this week is "out of control", the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has claimed. 

The union says more than 1,591 patients have been on trolleys on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, with 512 patients waiting for a bed today.

So far in May, there have been 7,287 patients on trolleys, according to INMO Trolley Watch figures, with 22% of overcrowding taking place this week. 

INMO director of professional services Tony Fitzpatrick said this type of overcrowding "is not normal for the month of May". 

Milder weather normally leads to a reduced number of patients attending hospitals.

"This level of unacceptable overcrowding coupled with the fact that nurses and midwives are constantly working short in many emergency departments and wards because of the HSE’s recruitment freeze is bad news for patient and staff safety," Mr Fitzpatrick said. 

University Hospital Limerick was again the worst his hospital for overcrowding, with 111 patients on trolleys, followed by Cork University Hospital with 74.

Mr Fitzpatrick hit out at the HSE's recruitment moratorium, calling for it to be lifted.

“Many funded nursing vacancies that are arising because of staff retiring, leaving or going on maternity leave are remaining unfilled because of the recruitment freeze," he said.

"This is having a detrimental impact on staff morale and wellbeing. We have many reports of nurses being interviewed for posts and accepting posts, but no start dates have been provided to them. The freeze is still in place when there is unprecedented demand on our health services, meaning that various departments and community services are working short.

This level of overcrowding warrants a serious response from the HSE and individual hospital groups and cannot be allowed to continue into the summer. All vacant nursing and midwifery posts must be filled immediately by lifting the recruitment moratorium.

It comes as the union said more than 70 nursing positions were currently vacant in Tipperary University Hospital due to the recruitment freeze.

Tipperary University Hospital: More than 70 nursing positions vacant.

INMO industrial relations officer Liam Conway said this was having a "negative impact" on staff and patient safety within the hospital.

“Nurses and midwives in Tipperary University Hospital are working in very challenging environments, with overcrowding continuing to be a problem while staffing remains short," he said.

“The framework on safe nurse staffing in the medical and surgical wards in Tipperary University Hospital has been completely eroded as funded posts are not being filled when someone leaves, retires or takes maternity leave. This is completely unacceptable.

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“The longer this recruitment embargo continues, the stronger message it sends to nurses who are in two minds about staying in the public health service or those that want to come home from abroad that safe nurse staffing is not a priority to the HSE."

Mr Conway said the people of Tipperary "deserve a hospital that is staffed to provide safe care, that is not the case at the moment".

On Tuesday, the HSE revealed there were 50 vacant nursing positions at University Hospital Kerry, leaving the hospital without more than 8% of the nursing workforce.