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AFTER three consecutive months where numbers of patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry were decreasing on same period the previous year, there was a sharp increase in April.
There were 325 patients waiting on trolleys at UHK last month, the most in April since records began and an increase of 143 on April 2023 (+78%).
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.
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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.”
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