Cork hospital patients seeing 'more of the same' overcrowding linked to flu and storm

'It’s more of the same in terms of everywhere is full in Cork University Hospital and the Mercy', Colm Porter warned. File Picture: Larry Cummins

Patients are seeing “more of the same” this week as hospitals continue to struggle with high numbers linked to the flu and Storm Éowyn, with Cork hit especially hard, nurses have warned.

Hospitals in Cork City could face weeks more of overcrowding after being hit by flu, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's Colm Porter has said.

Around the country, the union counted 682 patients getting treated on trolleys or chairs. Separate HSE data showed this included 113 people waiting longer than 24 hours by Monday morning. 

In all, the HSE counted 491 patients on trolleys and a further 565 being treated on temporary surge beds.

Mr Porter warned: “It’s more of the same in terms of everywhere is full in CUH (Cork University Hospital) and the Mercy.

“Patients are being placed everywhere," he said.

Every ward is at capacity, so all of those trolleys would be additional patients on the wards as well

There were 58 patients on trolleys or chairs at Cork University Hospital and 17 at the Mercy by Monday morning, the nurses counted.

While these two hospitals have not seen a noticeable surge in patients linked to Storm Éowyn, he said University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and hospitals in Connaught are seeing this as well as many flu patients.

For example, there were 98 patients without a bed at University Hospital Limerick on Monday.

'Nothing really changes'

“The most frustrating thing for our members, particularly people who’ve been around for a while, is that it’s the same thing every year and nothing really changes,” he said.

“It is really more of the same. In Cork, they were hit particularly hard by the flu over the Christmas weeks — but it still doesn’t make it any easier for nurses. It’s groundhog day really for them.” 

He said that, while there has been greater focus on adding beds or staff, the overcrowding and understaffing remains.

Mr Porter, an assistant director of industrial relations for the southern region, said nurses want to see these pressures recognised.

“The HSE needs to put the health and safety of their staff and patients at the forefront of everything that is being done,” he said.

It needs to ensure there is good flow through the hospital, and ensure areas are properly staffed to deal with the level of risk our members are carrying

He acknowledged University Hospital Waterford had just three patients on trolleys by the union's count, with none under the HSE system on Monday.

Other Munster hospitals under pressure included Bantry Hospital — with six people on trolleys, even though they do not have an emergency department. Ennis Hospital, also lacking an emergency department, saw 16 people on trolleys. 

At Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel, 30 people could not get a bed. University Hospital Kerry was also busy with 10 people on trolleys in their emergency department.

Outside of hospitals, the HSE called on people to check on older or vulnerable neighbours as power outages continue in some areas. Across the country, some health services were temporarily suspended on Friday due to the impact of Storm Éowyn.