The region’s main hospital has recorded it’s highest ever level of overcrowding for the month of May.
The latest analysis from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisations shows over 850 people were left waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick last month.
Trolley numbers decreased at Ennis General Hospital, however.
The INMO’s latest trolleywatch analysis shows 858 patients were left waiting on trolleys at University Hosptial Limerick last month, an almost 37% rise on the same period last year.
It’s the highest ever level of overcrowding at the region’s main hospital during the month of May, and UHL remained the busiest in the country over the past month.
Ennis General Hospital, meanwhile, saw a drop in trolley numbers from 15 in May last year to 5 over the course of the past 5 weeks.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says the figures confirm that overcrowding is an increasing problem year on year and a feature of patient care throughout the whole 12 months.
The nurses union insists that Irish hospitals are constantly overcrowded, working above the recognised safe occupancy level and demand for emergency admissions, even in the peak summer period, continues to grow.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha (pron: NI HAY) says the figures are too high.
