The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has sounded the alarm, declaring hospitals across Ireland as disaster centers due to a severe shortage of staff. With a ban on recruitment exacerbating the issue, hospitals are struggling to maintain safe staffing levels, leading to dire consequences for patients.
On Friday alone, a staggering 415 patients were left waiting on trolleys without receiving the necessary treatment. This follows a trend from the previous week when 396 patients endured similar delays nationwide, according to the INMO.
Among the hardest-hit hospitals is Limerick University Hospital, where 106 patients faced treatment delays, followed by Galway University Hospital with 50 patients awaiting care, and St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin with 33 patients in queue.
The crisis is evident in other hospitals as well, with Cork University Hospital reporting 25 patients on trolleys and Kerry University Hospital with 24. The INMO emphasizes that both patients and staff are at risk due to the overwhelming overcrowding.
As hospitals grapple with this crisis, urgent action is needed to address staffing shortages and ensure the safety and well-being of patients across Ireland.