Two local hospitals have 44 patients on trolleys today

There are 44 patients on trolleys in two local hospitals this morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

Figures from the INMO show that there are 22 patients on trolleys this morning in Portiuncula and another 22 on trolleys in Mullingar hospital.

In Mullingar, all 22 patients on trolleys are in the Emergency Department, while in Portiuncula 12 are in Emergency and 10 on trolleys in wards.

There are no patients on trolleys in Tullamore hospital.

Nationally, there are 709 patients on hospital trolleys. 533 patients are waiting in an emergency department, while 176 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

The top 5 most overcrowded hospitals are:

University Hospital Limerick – 90 patients

Cork University Hospital – 72 patients

St James’ Hospital – 53 patients

Tallaght University Hospital – 49 patients

University Hospital Galway – 48 patients

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:

“Today’s figures demonstrate we have had yet another busy weekend across all hospital sites. We have seen a pattern of extremely high levels of overcrowding following weekends, this cannot continue.

“The INMO is now requesting that the HSE immediately carry out a full review of weekend activity across all hospital sites and in the community sector.

“The pressure that nurses and midwives are under can no longer be sustained at this level.”