In response to severe overcrowding in hospitals, the Irish government has announced the allocation of 3,352 new hospital beds. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly stated that this expansion is equivalent to adding six large hospitals, marking the largest public hospital bed increase in decades.
The plan includes 2,997 new in-patient beds and 355 replacement beds in various government-run hospitals across the country. This comes on top of the 1,015 beds previously announced. The new beds are expected to be available by the end of 2026.
The decision follows growing criticism over patients being treated on trolleys due to a lack of available beds. A tragic incident where a girl died at University Hospital Limerick without receiving treatment due to overcrowding has heightened public concern and controversy within the health sector.
Minister Donnelly emphasized that this expansion aims to alleviate the strain on hospitals and improve patient care. The move is seen as a significant step toward addressing the chronic issue of hospital overcrowding in Ireland.