Trolley Numbers At Region’s Main Hospital Jump By 5,000 In Two Years

Hospital trolleys

The number of patients on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick last year was over 5,000 more than just two years ago.

The INMO has released statistics showing just under 14,000 patients were counted in their annual Trolleywatch statistics at Dooradoyle last year, 57% more than in 2017.

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Throughout 2019, the INMO counted 13,941 patients on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick.

The previous year, this figure stood at under 11,500 and in 2017, it was 8,868.

UHL has the highest figure in the country, unsurprisingly, but these statistics also show that overcrowding has surged at the hospital at a faster rate than in many other hospitals.

Overcrowding nationally jumped 9% year-on-year in 2019, but it was twice this rate in Limerick.

The nurses and midwives organisation say this is proof of a need for more beds, and for an end to the recruitment ban.

Management at UHL have previously admitted that this winter will be a difficult one for patients, although 15 more beds are being opened at St. John’s and a new 60-bed block is on course to open in late 2020.