More than 100,000 patients have been admitted into hospitals without a bed so far this year, according to the latest figures provided by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
University Hospital Limerick (UHL) was the most overcrowded hospital nationwide, with 17,668 patients waiting for beds. This is up by 28 patients, compared to 2022 annual figures from the INMO.
To date, a total of 101,240 people nationwide have been waiting in emergency departments or in wards without a bed. Of these, 2,730 were children under the age of 16.
Cork University Hospital follows UHL with 10,471 patients waiting for beds since January 1, with University Hospital Galway coming third with 7,453 patients
INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, said the patients behind the trolley figures published every day "are extremely vulnerable patients being treated in undignified and dangerous conditions."
“The INMO Executive Council met yesterday (Tuesday) and have reinforced the position that safe staffing underpinned by legislation is urgently required in order to protect patients no matter where they are in the system," Ms Sheaghdha said.
“The INMO will now commence a process of engagement with its members to ensure any instances where they are compelled to deviate from safe practice are resisted to ensure they are not being asked to provide ever-increasing services with a reduced workforce."
Ms Sheaghdha added that it was "entirely predictable" that over 100,000 people have gone without a bed to date.
"It is shocking that the necessary measures have not been taken by the HSE and individual hospital groups to alleviate this level of overcrowding," she said.
It comes as UHL on Monday saw a new overcrowding record with 130 people waiting on trolleys. Of those, 62 were waiting on trolleys in the emergency department while 68 were waiting on trolleys placed in wards.
Nationwide, 563 patients were waiting for a bed which meant 23% of those waiting were in Limerick.
