THE month of July saw a decrease in patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry compared to the same month in 2023 and 2022.

According to figures supplied by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) there were 286 patients waiting on trolleys this month compared to 314 in 2023 and 415 in 2022.

Nationally, over 9,755 people, including 73 children, were treated on a trolley, chair or other inappropriate bed space in Irish hospitals in July according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

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Speaking about the national picture, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The level of overcrowding this July has been really worrying and is an indicator for what we can expect for the remainder of 2024 unless meaningful action is taken by the HSE and individual hospital groups.

“The trolley figures for July are a clear indicator that the INMO’s call over the past five years for winter planning to commence immediately must now be heeded as the level of demand will only continue to increase over the coming months.

“Over 26% of patients on trolleys this month were placed on a trolley or chair in wards outside of the emergency department. Over 20,287 patients have been treated on a trolley outside of the emergency department so far this year.

This is a worrying trend that should not be accepted. The medical implications of long-term stays on trolleys are well flagged, allowing patients to be treated on wards that are already short-staffed puts patient safety at further risk.”

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