There were 9,635 patients waiting for admission to a bed this month, compared to 10,018 in September last year

Hospital overcrowding reduced compared to September 2023

by · RTE.ie

Hospital overcrowding reduced this month, compared to September last year, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

There were 9,635 patients waiting for admission to a bed this month, compared to 10,018 in September last year.

The union's figures show that the most overcrowded hospitals this month were University Hospital Limerick with 1,735 waiting, Cork University Hospital with 1,263 patients waiting and Galway University Hospital with 959 patients waiting.

However, INMO deputy General Secretary Edward Matthews said the hardest period of the year was now coming and that the number of people treated on trolleys will grow over the new few months.

The union wants an end to recruitment caps, and has called for extra bed capacity.

According to the INMO, there are 552 patients waiting today for admission to a bed.

The hospital worst affected is UHL with 105 patients waiting.

HSE figures put the level of overcrowding today lower at 417, with 306 patients on emergency department trolleys and 11 patients on ward trolleys.