The level of overcrowding at the region’s main hospital was 70% higher than any other hospital in the country this month.
The latest analysis from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation shows more than 2,200 patients were left waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick in February.
2,247 admitted patients were left waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick across February, according to the latest INMO figures.
That represents a 36% rise on the same month in 2023 and a 79% increase on pre-pandemic figures.
It’s also 1,177 more patients than were left on trolleys at the nexy busiest facility; Cork University Hospital.
At Ennis General Hospital, trolley numbers jumped from 75 in February last year to 107 this month.
They were among almost 11,000 admitted patients on trolleys at hospitals across the country over the past four weeks, with the INMO saying the levels of overcrowding haven’t diminished since the St Bridget’s Day Bank Holiday.
The nurses’ union insists that with two bank holidays happening in quick succession in March, the HSE must outline what steps it’s taking in the run up to St. Patrick’s Day, to ensure there isn’t a repeat of February overcrowding.
The union says members’ morale is on the floor and many feel a sense of helplessness when it comes to being able to carry out their roles to the high levels they have been trained to and that this isn’t helped by the HSE’s hiring freeze of patient-facing staff.
