483 patients are on trolleys today, as overcrowding in hospitals falls from even higher levels seen earlier this week.
It comes as nurses representatives meet with the HSE to discuss the issue, and as it’s claimed that nursing homes could play a key role in further easing pressures.
With 43 patients on trolleys, or in overflow areas of wards, University Hospital Limerick was again the busiest hospital in the country today.
However, in line with the national figure, there has been a drop-off in the numbers at Dooradoyle today.
Nationally, 483 patients are on trolleys, nearly 200 less than on Wednesday.
The figures come from the INMO, who say hospitals that manage patient flow well have fewer patients on trolleys.
They’re meeting with the HSE today.
Professor Anthony Staines from DCU says getting patients in and out of hospital smoothly is key.
Meanwhile, vacant beds in nursing homes are put forward as a possible solution
Here in Clare alone, there are 17 vacant beds in nursing homes – while there are an additional 28 in Limerick and 103 in Galway.
Tadgh Daly is chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland, which represents voluntary and private nursing homes.
He says his members can make a difference.
