Hospital overcrowding in August up 40% on August 2014

6,518 patients on trolleys in August

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), following its monthly comparative survey, has found that in August there were 6,518 admitted patients, left on trolleys, which represents a 40% increase when compared to August 2014.

This 40% increase, year on year, continues the very disturbing trend, all through 2015, which has seen overcrowding increase every month when compared to same month in 2014.

The hospitals enduring the greatest levels of overcrowding, during August, were:

• Drogheda – 680

• Beaumont –  678

• Limerick – 618

• UHG – 458

• CUH – 399

• Tallaght – 395

The INMO has, today, repeated its demand for an immediate meeting, of the High Level Implementation Group to agree further measures to alleviate this crisis.

The INMO Executive Council, will meet next Tuesday, September 8, 2015, to consider the situation and prepare a response, on behalf of our members in the frontline, who are tired of being told the situation is getting better.  The situation is getting worse and will continue to do so until significant additional bed capacity (acute and continuing care) is introduced.

Speaking this morning INMO General Secretary Liam Doran said:

“This is the fourteenth month in a row when, year on year, the level of overcrowding has deepened with patient care compromised, on a daily basis, as a result.

We are now beginning the early autumn/winter period, which will only see, in the absence of emergency measures, the overcrowding situation worsen still further as demand continues to grow against the background of staff and bed shortages.”

Mr. Doran concluded:

“The government must accept the request for additional funding made recently by the HSE.   The additional resources being sought are required to allow the health service meet existing demand in a quality assured and patient sensitive manner”.