Cork trolley numbers 'still much too high'

A Cork hospital had the third most patients in Ireland admitted without a bed last month according to the new figures.

Data released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) showed that CUH had 673 on trolleys across the month of May.

University Hospital Galway had the second highest number with 919 patients, while University Hospital Limerick was by far the most overcrowded with 2,055 patients.

Commenting on the numbers, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the number of people on trolleys is “still much too high”.

She said: “We are still seeing near daily instances of over 400 people being treated on trolleys, chairs, or other inappropriate bed spaces every day.

“We are yet again seeing unacceptable levels of overcrowding in the Midwest and West, where there is little to no capacity release valves to help ease overcrowding. The delivery of fully staffed, additional capacity must be a priority for the HSE in these areas,” added Ms Ní Sheaghdha.

In light of these figures, the INMO plans to engage proactively with the HSE to ensure that its members are able to cope with the seasonal and predictable challenges that they are likely to encounter over the coming months.

Ms Ní Sheaghdha continued: “Persistent overcrowding does not just have an impact on patient outcomes, it also impacts nurse and midwife safety and wellbeing. We know that when hospitals are overcrowded, assaults are more regular and staff burnout and intention to leave rises. These are very real issues that need to be addressed by the Health Service Executive.”

Recently, a new scheme got underway which will see gardaí undertake regular patrols at MUH in Cork city to help deter violence against staff.

The INMO recently revealed that, on average, up to 11 assaults take place each day in Irish hospitals and other health settings.

In Cork alone, the INMO confirmed that 35 healthcare workers took leave due to assaults while on duty over the last two years.