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669 people are on trolleys in Irish hospitals today. Shutterstock

Number of patients on trolleys in Irish hospitals hits year-high

669 people are on trolleys in Irish hospitals today, a figure that includes 28 children.

THE HIGHEST NUMBER of patients on trolleys so far this year has been recorded today.

That’s according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, which has found that 669 people are on trolleys in Irish hospitals.

This figure is said to include 28 children.

University Hospital Limerick is the worst affected with 80 people on trolleys today, followed by Cork University hospital on 72.

There are 51 patients on trolleys in both Letterkenny University Hospital and St James’s Hospital, while there are 45 people on trolleys in University Hospital Galway.

INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha has described the figures as “extremely concerning but not surprising”.

She added that the INMO has “seen a 27% increase of patients on trolleys in the last week”. 

The INMO general secretary has urged the HSE, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, and the Health and Safety Authority to take immediate action in the worst hit spots

She also called for specialist teams to be deployed for Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway today.

Ní Sheaghdha added that a “range of measures must be taken now in the short to medium term including the curtailment of all non-emergency, elective care”.

She also called for capacity from the private sector to be provided immediately, alongside a “laser focus on recruitment and retention”.

““If Government and HSE are serious about keeping Irish nurses in Irish hospitals,” said Ní Sheaghdha, “then they must take immediate action on safe staffing, fast tracking recruitment and getting private hospitals on the pitch now.”

“The health and safety of our members and the patients they are trying their best to care for must take priority. We know that they are currently operating in truly unsafe care environments.”

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    Mute Daphne Graham
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    Oct 25th 2022, 4:21 PM

    And how are all the refugees to get medical attention also? A total shambles in every way.

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    Mute Sarah Lou
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    Oct 25th 2022, 4:25 PM

    @Daphne Graham: to be fair to the refugees, they are not even the icing on the cake for the health service. It is unbelievable that we are heading into the 3rd winter since covid was first reported here and the situation has not only not improved it is now worse than ever. Fingers crossed there are a few doctors and nurses amongst the refugees to help.

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    Mute David Jordan
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    Oct 25th 2022, 4:58 PM

    @Daphne Graham: Ukraine refugees average age is 36, they are young, fit and healthy.

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    Mute IronMan2020
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    Oct 25th 2022, 5:00 PM

    Health service is a disgrace, own GP referred my son to hospital specifically for a dairy allergy. This was in January 2021. Got a call this week from hospital asking did he still wish to see a consultant. Nearly two years later… The dairy allergy has passed, god help you if there is anything seriously wrong with you.

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    Mute Annette McGuckin
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    Oct 25th 2022, 5:44 PM

    These figures cannot be accurate. Zero patients on trolleys in Beaumont & only 7 in OLOL – like come on. There’s way more than 669. Time for journalists to start asking why the numbers aren’t been reported.

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    Mute ChadChaderson
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    Oct 25th 2022, 5:13 PM

    No worries , the government will put them up in hotel beds, they own 1 in 4 you know.

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    Mute Alan Wright
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    Oct 26th 2022, 1:24 AM

    The HSE needs to be run like a private company (not privatised or for profit) but accountable for the billions it receives. Middle management and ineffectual paper pushers removed (replaced with actual medical staff). Remove HSE doctors moonlighting as consultants for the private sector, but using (and not paying for) HSE spaces. Senior management accountability, if they can’t deliver, they’re in the wrong job. And then, not to mention, government ministers need a very close scrutiny of their portfolio. Its been way too long with the hospital system getting worse every year.

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    Mute Keth Warsaw
    Favourite Keth Warsaw
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    Oct 25th 2022, 7:08 PM

    Don’t! Just don’t!
    The government know what they’re doing. They have it all in hand. Everything’s going to be ok. Just dandy. It’ll all be fine.

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