Letterkenny Hospital records highest ever patients waiting list for beds in April

Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) had 594 patients admitted to hospital without a bed in April, the fifth highest in the country, and the highest number ever recorded at the Donegal acute hospital for the month of April.

It also is an increase on the comparable monthly figure for last year, when it stood at 513 patients waiting on beds for the month of April 2023 - an increase of 81 patients.

Nationally, over 11,070 patients, including 258 children, were admitted to hospital without a bed in April, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. 

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: 

“The fact that we are seeing this level of overcrowding in April is clear that the HSE have not learned any lessons when it comes to reducing the number of patients on trolleys.

“The number of patients admitted without a bed only went below 400 on any given day on one occasion, and over 600 patients were on trolleys on five occasions over the course of the month. 

“By any standard this is unacceptable but to see this type of overcrowding during a month when it is traditionally quieter is a clear indicator that the HSE’s current plans are not working. 

“Our members are reporting that the challenges associated with overcrowding are being worsened by the HSE’s recruitment moratorium which is making it impossible to staff any ward safely or to expand nursing services into the community to develop the much needed services as set out in Sláintecare.”

The top 5 most overcrowded hospitals include:

University Hospital Limerick – 1,971 patients

Galway University Hospital – 1,208 patients

Cork University Hospital – 1,096 patients

St Vincent’s University Hospital – 650 patients

Letterkenny University Hospital – 594 patients