The INMO is calling on HIQA to urgently investigate overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick.
Nurses have made call after another busy week in Dooradoyle, which they say has been the most overcrowded hospital every day this year.
The nurses and midwives’ union want HIQA to investigate what is going wrong at the hospital and make recommendations to alleviate pressure.
There had been hopes that the opening of 100+ beds and significant recruitment would ease pressures but today there were 52 patients were on trolleys at the hospital, more than treble the amount recorded at any other hospital.
On Wednesday, that number stood at 70, prompting the hospital itself to urge the public to consider all care options before attending the ED.
The hospital said attendances at the Department have never been higher, with 524 patients attending in a 48 hour period between Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Nursing representatives, however, say this overcrowding adds stress for staff, worsens patient care, and is extremely high risk amid the pandemic.
