There’s been a 25% increase in the level of overcrowding at the region’s main hospital so far this year, when compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The latest analysis from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation shows there were almost 17,500 patients left waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick between January to December.
Figures compiled by the INMO show that 17,460 patients have been without a hospital bed at UHL so far in 2022, making it the worst year on record for overcrowding there.
That’s up from 13,941 in 2019, before the pandemic took hold, and represents jump of 5,352 on last year’s figure.
University Hospital Limerick was also by far the busiest in the country this year, with more than 5,300 more patients on trolleys than the next busiest facility; Cork University Hospital.
Despite a drop in figures today, the Dooradoyle facility remains extremely busy, with 88 people waiting for a bed during morning rounds.
The UL Hospitals Group says it’s been managing record high attendances in Dooradoyle in recent days.
It’s continuing to warn members of the public who present at UHL’s emergency department with ‘less urgent conditions’ that they face ‘exceptionally’ long waits for care.
Nationally, almost 119,000 patients were recorded on trolleys between January and December, the highest number ever recorded by the INMO and a milestone the union says is not to be celebrated.
The INMO says silence from decision makers shows that this out-of-control overcrowding is accepted and it insists that the State must do better for nurses, healthcare workers and patients who are sick enough to be admitted to hospital.
