Irish hospitals are facing significant overcrowding issues with 550 patients currently without proper beds, according to figures released Thursday by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
Of these patients, 365 are waiting in emergency departments while another 185 are being accommodated on trolleys in hospital wards.
University Hospital Limerick is experiencing the most severe overcrowding, with 108 patients waiting for beds – 47 in the emergency department and 61 in other hospital wards.
Other hospitals facing serious capacity issues include University Hospital Galway, where 51 patients await beds (39 in the emergency department), and Cork University Hospital with 50 patients on trolleys (47 in the emergency department).
According to The Breaking News, the figures highlight ongoing capacity challenges in the Irish healthcare system, raising concerns about patient care and the strain on hospital staff amid persistent overcrowding problems.