Call for 'urgent' fire safety inspection at UHL amid surge in number of patients on trolleys

Data shows hospital was most overcrowded in the country, with 130 patients on trolleys or chairs on Tuesday morning

HSE data shows almost half of the patients waiting on trolleys longer than 24 hours around the country were at UHL.

A call has been made for an “urgent review” by the fire service over safety concerns at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in light of overcrowding this week.

It comes as HSE data shows almost half of the patients waiting on trolleys longer than 24 hours around the country were at UHL alone.

The hospital was also marked as having 130 patients on trolleys or chairs on Tuesday morning by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The union’s data showed this was the most overcrowded hospital in the country as bank holiday pressures hit the emergency departments. Nationally, it counted 617 people without a bed.

Independent councillor in Tipperary Seamus Morris said he was shocked to see the high figures and wrote to the Limerick Fire Service.

In the letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, he asked “Limerick Fire Service to carry out an immediate fire safety inspection on behalf of patients, staff and members of the public".

He added: “I am deeply concerned about the safety implications of the current overcrowding and believe an urgent assessment is warranted.” 

Mr Morris has supported the Midwest Hospital Campaign in its calls for reforms. Last winter, the Limerick Fire Service told him it carried out regular inspections at UHL and had seen fire drills and evacuations carried out.

INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheagdha warned: “The situation in University Hospital Limerick has not improved over the weekend, with over 130 patients on trolleys there this morning.

“This is very worrying for our members there who are trying their best to provide safe care in an environment that continues to get busier and busier.” 

HSE data shows 77 people waited more than 24 hours for a bed in various hospitals, with 30 of those waiting in UHL. 

The HSE data also shows seven of those 77 were aged over 75. The HSE collects separate data on this age group because of how vulnerable they are to negative effects of sleep deprivation, light and noise in emergency departments.

The HSE shares data on its count of patients on trolleys or temporary surge beds. This showed 408 patients on trolleys and 551 on temporary surge beds.

The INMO figures also show unusually high pressures at Cork University Hospital, with 43 waiting, and 18 at the Mercy University Hospital.

Smaller hospitals also under pressure were Tipperary University Hospital, with 19 people waiting. At University Hospital Kerry, nine people were on trolleys.

HSE data for University Hospital Waterford shows no one waiting on trolleys and 12 patients on temporary surge beds.

HSE Midwest and Limerick Fire Service were approached for comment.