Surge in number of patients waiting on trolleys at UHL ahead of bank holiday weekend

Ryan O'Rourke, 27 Mar

OVER 130 patients are reported to be on trolleys at University Hospital

Limerick this Wednesday morning.

According to the figures the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation

(INMO) said that they have recorded 131 patients waiting on trolleys at

the Limerick hospital. The figure yesterday was 112.

“The number of patients being treated without a bed in Irish hospitals,

particularly in the Midwest, is very concerning and does not bode well

for the Easter bank holiday weekend ahead. The HSE needs to immediately

outline how it will be planning to discharge patients ahead of the

weekend,” INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said.

“The sheer number of patients on trolleys is not helped by the fact

that practically all hospitals are running short because of the HSE

recruitment freeze which is having a detrimental impact on patient and

staff safety,” she added.