Dublin – Hospitals in Ireland continue to grapple with a surge in patients on trolleys awaiting treatment, according to figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization (INMO) today. A staggering 530 individuals are currently seeking medical attention without access to beds, with University Hospital Limerick facing the most severe situation at 121 patients. Cork University Hospital, University Hospital Galway, and Mater Hospital, Dublin, also report alarming numbers—71, 44, and 44 patients, respectively.
Of the total, 372 patients find themselves stranded in emergency departments, while 158 are on hospital wards. The INMO has persistently urged the government to address overcrowding and boost healthcare staff numbers to no avail. As the cold season exacerbates health concerns, the Health Service Executive (HSE) recommends individuals with minor ailments to opt for smaller clinics or community health centers instead of adding pressure to already strained hospitals.