320 people on trolleys at Naas Hospital in October
by Paul O'Meara · Leinster LeaderA total of 320 patients were treated on trolleys, having been admitted through the accident and emergency department at Naas Hospital in October.
That is 48 less when compared with October 2023 but it is 25 more than the overcrowding figure of 295 for October 2022, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation which monitors overcrowding numbers at the hospital and others around Ireland.
Last year's figure of 368 was the highest since 2006 when the INMO began to monitor the number of patients admitted on trolleys.
At Portlaoise Hospital there were 73 people on trolleys last month which compares with 93 in 2023 and 61 in 2022.
There were no patients on trolleys for the month in Tullamore Hospital and just one for the month of October 2023.
Across the country some 10,515 patients were treated on trolleys, chairs or in another inappropriate bed space in October according to the INMO.
The top five most overcrowded hospitals were: University Hospital Limerick (1,876 patients) Cork University Hospital (1,126); University Hospital Galway (989); St. Vincent’s University Hospital (681) andSligo University Hospital (663).
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the figures are a grim indicator for the overcrowding likely to occur over the winter months.
She added: “Staffing is an issue across all hospitals. Not having a safe number of nursing staff in our emergency departments, inpatient wards, long term care and community services continues to exacerbate the persistent problem of overcrowding in our hospitals.”
She said nurses are not assured that their safety and that of their patients is a priority.
“The HSE and Government must protect frontline services by lifting the recruitment embargo immediately and accelerating the hiring process, which has been hindered by the current pay and numbers strategy. These delays now result in nearly 12 months to approve replacements for essential nursing and midwifery posts. Without the safe level of staffing patients cannot be assured of a safe service, this is avoidable and must be corrected immediately.”