263 patients treated on trolleys in Kildare's main hospital in June
It was the highest figure for seven years
The number of patients treated on trolleys at Naas Hospital in June was the highest for that month since 2019.
Some 263 people were admitted on trolleys having come in through the accident and emergency department at the facility last month.
This compares with 214 in June 2025 and was exceeded by the June 2019 figure of 286.
Overcrowding in the eastern region was worst at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin where 662 people were treated on trolleys, followed by the Mater Hospital where the figure was 503.
But the most overcrowded hospital in the country for the 30 day period was University Hospital Limerick, which recorded 1,799 patients on trolleys.
This was followed by Sligo University Hospital (885), Cork University Hospital (708), and University Hospital Galway (617).
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says 66,400 patients have now been recorded on trolleys in the first half of 2026, an increase of 12% compared to the same period last year “which could indicate a record-breaking year for trolley admissions unless urgent measures are taken.”
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:“There was a time when we could expect a significant reduction in trolleys numbers during the milder summer months, but this has not been the case in recent years.”
She added in June nurses and midwives had to deal with the additional pressures associated with caring for patients in high temperature weather conditions.
“These circumstances not only increase stress and exhaustion in nurses and midwives working in buildings not equipped to cope with higher temperatures but can also greatly impact patient safety as well. “It is clear that given the current trajectory of year-on-year temperature increases, summer may become a period that will require significant planning to ensure the safety of everyone who attends and works within our healthcare system.” Ms Ní Sheaghdha predicted nurses and midwives will not continue to work in these environments.
“If the HSE is serious about retention, predictable surges of healthcare needs must have a planned approach to deal with them. The continued use of so-called surge capacity is particularly concerning.”