Stark overcrowding figures as 57 people wait on trolleys and beds in St Luke's, Kilkenny

There are 57 patients waiting on trolleys and wards at St Luke's Hospital today, according to figures collated by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

Only one hospital, Limerick, showed a higher figure.

It comes almost a week after organisation warned that, nationally, more than 118,662 patients have been without a hospital bed so far in 2022, making it the worst year for hospital overcrowding on record.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:

“Today’s trolley figures are extremely concerning, with no sign of pressure easing in our emergency departments compared to previous Decembers.

“We have reached an overcrowding milestone today in that 2022 is officially the worst year for hospital overcrowding on record. This is not something to be celebrated.

“It is clear that there is a dearth of ambition to tackle this extremely serious problem. We commend that some hospital groups have curtailed non-urgent care and asked that people seek alternative care pathways if they can but it is clear that the HSE and the Government are not taking this issue as seriously as they should be.

“Our members are under serious pressure, particularly those working in triage and in emergency departments. Long delays, inadequate bed space and unsafe staffing are making it impossible to provide safe care.

“Silence from decision makers shows that this out-of-control overcrowding is accepted when it absolutely shouldn’t be. The State must do better for our nurses, healthcare workers and patients sick enough to be admitted to hospital.”