Tag Archives: trolley figures

Decrease In Patients Waiting On Trolleys In UHK Last Month Compared To October 2023

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THERE was a significant decrease  in the number of patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry for the month of October compared to the same month in 2023.

There were 265  patients waiting on trolleys at the hospital  last month compared to 382 in October of 2023.

Nationwide, 10,515 patients were treated on trolleys, chairs or in another inappropriate bed space in October according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The fact that over ten thousand sick people were treated on a trolley this October is a grim indicator for the level of overcrowding we are bound to see over the winter period.

“Staffing is an issue across all hospitals. Not having a safe number of nursing staff in our emergency departments, inpatient wards, long term care and community services continues to exacerbate the persistent problem of overcrowding in our hospitals.

“Again this winter, our members are not assured that their safety and that of their patients is a priority. The HSE and Government must protect frontline services by lifting the recruitment embargo immediately and accelerating the hiring process, which has been hindered by the current pay and numbers strategy. These delays now result in nearly 12 months to approve replacements for essential nursing and midwifery posts. Without the safe level of staffing patients cannot be assured of a safe service, this is avoidable and must be corrected immediately.”

 

Decrease In Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK In July Compared To Previous Two Years

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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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Worst June On Record For Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK

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THE month of June saw 376 patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry, the worst on record at the hospital for that month, according to figures supplied by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

It’s up from 274 in June 2023 and 345 in 2022. Nationally over 9,437 patients, including 70 children were admitted to hospital without a bed in the month of June according to the INMO.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The fact that over 9,437 people were treated on trolleys in June is clear evidence that our health system is still far too reliant on a hospital system that that doesn’t have enough beds.”

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“The Government must prioritise investment in building and scaling up capacity to meet this demand. This can only be done by increasing bed capacity and also employing nurses to staff these beds.”

“The HSE’s recruitment freeze is making it harder to provide safe and timely care as it is becoming more difficult to fill rosters when staffing is so short. Our members want to be able to provide safe care to patients but also be assured that their own safety in the workplace is being guaranteed — neither are guaranteed when they are working in overcrowded conditions with unsafe staffing levels.”

“The development of community services is critical to reducing the pressure on the hospital system. The recruitment embargo is making it impossible to fill posts in the community and therefore having a direct impact on the ability to provide care outside of the hospital system.

“The recruitment freeze is own goal after own goal. The INMO is consulting with our members who work in the community on the impact the recruitment freeze is having on them. We are now urgently seeking that the HSE reengage with the INMO at the Workplace Relations Commission on their staffing plan for 2024, which still hasn’t been published at the mid-point of the year,” he concluded.

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Significant Rise In Number Of Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK In April

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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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Over 350 Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK During January

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THERE were 355 patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry during the month of January.

This was a decrease of 56 on the same month in 2023. Nationally, over 12,132 patients, including 278 children went without a hospital bed this January according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Speaking about the national figures, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “Another January has passed with hospital overcrowding remaining a serious problem in Irish hospitals. There were only three instances this month where less than 500 people were waiting on trolleys, chairs or other inappropriate bed spaces.

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“Hundreds of people are sick enough to be admitted to hospital each day but there is no bed for them. Some of the care environments are totally inappropriate, in some instances the care is provided on chairs.

“It is clear that capacity in the health system isn’t sufficient. We have not seen a significant drop in the number of patients on trolleys. We need more beds and we need more patient-facing staff. The HSE must agree a realistic workforce plan which provides for sufficient nurses and midwives to be employed to provide safe care and plan for more beds to open.

“Patient safety is of the utmost importance to our members, they want to be in a position to provide safe and timely care. It is the view of INMO members that hospital overcrowding has not improved. On each hospital site the occupancy rate is above 83% which means that the provision of safe care is compromised.”

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Record Number Of Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK This Year

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THIS year has seen the highest numbers of patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry since records began in 2006.

There were 3,775 patients waiting on trolleys at the hospital since the start of the year according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The previous high was in 2019 when there were 3,610 waiting. Over 121,526 patients have gone without a bed in Irish hospitals in 2023 according to the IINMO, making it the worst year for hospital overcrowding nationally on record.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “With six days to Christmas, there has been no let-up in pressure for our nurses and midwives who are working in overcrowded and understaffed hospitals.

“For the second year in a row we have broken overcrowding records. The year is not even over and 121,526 patients have been admitted to hospital without a bed. Over 3,450 children have been on trolleys so far this year, an increase of 24% on the previous year. This is not something to celebrate and was entirely predictable.”

“Instead of coming forward with plans to drastically improve the lot of our members and patients who find themselves in emergency departments, the HSE have instead decided to implement a recruitment freeze which will further demoralise a burned out, exhausted workforce. We know from past experience that it can take a long time to reverse the impact of any recruitment freeze.”

“What will it take for the HSE and Government to act? The independent agency HIQA last week stated that in over 80% of the hospitals they have inspected, patient dignity was compromised and that workforce planning must be prioritised.

“Long delays, inadequate bed space and unsafe staffing levels are making it impossible for our members to provide safe care.”

“We are about to walk into an unbearably busy time in our public hospital system and it is clear that lessons from the not-so-distant past have not been learned when it comes to tackling the root causes of hospital overcrowding,” concluded Ms Ní Sheaghdha.

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363 Patients Waited On Trolleys At UHK During November

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THERE were 363 patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry during the month of November.

This was a rise of eight on the same month in 2022, but lower than the worst November in 2019 when there were 399 waiting on trolleys.

Nationally, over 11,493 patients, including 434 children, went without a bed in Irish hospitals in November according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s TrolleyWatch.

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Commenting on the level of overcrowding this November, INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said:

“The sheer volume of patients who were admitted to hospitals without a bed this November are far too high. The call has to be made now ahead of what is going to be a dangerous situation to curtail non-urgent elective activity and ensure that our private hospitals are available to assist. There is absolutely no point in waiting until we are mid-crisis to act.

“The current moratorium on recruitment which is predicted to get worse in the early part of next year will require further curtailment of services and the HSE must ensure that that is planned in order to avoid this continuous discommoding of patients on the day of procedures.”

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Record Number Of Patients Waiting On Trolleys In UHK In October

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THERE was a record number of patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry for the month of October.

There were 382 patients waiting on trolleys this month compared to 220 in October of 2022 and the previous October high of 343 in 2021.

Nationwide, 10,538 patients including 273 children went without a bed in October according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghda said: “We are once again seeing an unacceptable amount of patients on trolleys the day after a bank holiday. Over the three days of the weekend an additional 166 patients were admitted to hospital without beds. The system needs to get a grip on the out of control levels of overcrowding that occur following public holidays.

“The fact that over ten thousand people went without hospital beds in the month of October is concerning. There is acute pressure along the western seaboard.

“We know that there is less staff to deal with the growing demand in our health system that it has a knock on impact on both patient and staff safety. Unsafe staffing levels are going to be a feature of this winter unless we see targeted recruitment and retention plans in each hospital and community care area to allow for more nurses and midwives to be recruited at the pace in which we need them.

“Again this winter, our members are not assured that their safety and that of their patients is a priority. The HSE and Government must outline what steps are being taken both at national and local level to dramatically reduce the number of patients on trolleys.”

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Over 300 Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK During August

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THERE was a decrease in patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry during August compared to the same month in 2022.

There were 314 patients waiting on trolleys this month compared to last August’s all-time high of 343.

Nationwide, over 9,720 patients, including 167 children, went without a bed in Irish hospitals this August according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s TrolleyWatch figures.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “There’s no doubt this winter is going to continue the pattern of difficult and dangerous times in our hospitals.

“The summer period used to see an easing off in overcrowding figures but this year numbers admitted to inappropriate spaces, trolleys and chairs have been alarmingly high too early in the season. The new so-called target of no more than 320 people on trolleys set by HSE was only achieved on five days this year.

“Last year was the previous record for August overcrowding, and the winter that followed was honestly beyond what we could have imagined. This August is somehow worse again, and our members are worried, for themselves, and for their patients, about what is in store for them over the coming months.

“The ongoing increase shows how urgently we need to implement safe staffing legislation, so that hospitals have sufficient staff to diagnose, treat and discharge patients safely, and vulnerable people are not languishing on trolleys and chairs for days at a time.

“Medical evidence shows that spending more than six hours on a trolley is detrimental to a patient’s long-term health outcomes. In stark terms it increases the mortality rate by over 8%.

“The INMO is of the view that this situation is not being met with the required urgency or focus required. The constant state of overcrowding in our hospitals is a leading cause of nurses and midwives intending to leave their current work areas and indeed the professions altogether.”

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Worst March Ever For Number Of Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK

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THE number of patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry in March was the highest for that month since records began.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation trolley watch figures for the month showed there were 401 patients waiting on trolleys at UHK in March compared to 338 in 2022 and the previous high of 360 in 2019.

The INMO confirmed that this month has been the worst March for overcrowding nationwide since the union began counting trolleys in 2006. There were 12,943 admitted patients, including 447 children, treated on trolleys or chairs in hospitals around the country this month.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “This has been the worst March for overcrowding since the INMO began counting trolleys in 2006. In some hospitals the level of overcrowding we have seen has been out of control and cannot be allowed to continue into the spring and summer months.

“Our analysis on the success of the HSE’s Winter Plan, which is due to come to an end today, has shown that more people than ever have been on trolleys during the health service’s winter period (October-March) with just under 70,000 people on trolleys during this period.

“It is time for the HSE and Department of Health to devise a multi-annual plan as to how we tackle overcrowding. It is clear that it is no longer just a winter overcrowding crisis but a year-long one.

“The State cannot expect nurses to bear the brunt of the crisis and work at full tilt in constantly overcrowded and understaffed wards year-round. Nurses want to be able to carry out the high quality care that they have been trained to do but cannot provide in these circumstances. There must be a change in mindset in how we approach this overcrowding crisis across from senior decision-makers from hospital management to HSE senior management levels. The INMO has sought to meet with the HSE to discuss these issues,” she concluded.

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289 Patients Waited On Trolleys At UHK During February

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FEBRUARY saw 289 patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry, the highest number for the month since the same period in 2020.

Back in February 2020 there were 449 people waiting on trolleys at UHK, the highest since records began back in 2006.

The monthly Trolleywatch figures compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation shows that the number of patients on trolleys in hospitals around the country was 10,040 in February.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “February was an incredibly challenging month for nurses and midwives working in the Irish public health service with over 10,000 people admitted to hospital for care for whom there were no beds.

“We have seen serious spikes of overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick and across all Dublin hospitals throughout the month of February. It is clear that medium and long-term plans are needed to resolve the overcrowding issues in these hospitals.

“Nurses are working in extremely unsafe conditions. Their workplaces are not just overcrowded, they are also short staffed. When wards are not staffed correctly, it has a very profound impact on the level of care our members are able to provide to patients.

“The HSE and Minister for Health must give an update on whether the measures they introduced in January to relieve pressure on our health system have had a real impact and what they are going to do to prevent further spikes in March and April,” she said.

 

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Over 400 Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK In January

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JANUARY saw 411 patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry, the highest number for the month since the same month in 2020.

Back in January 2020 there were 418 people waiting on trolleys at UHK, the highest since records began back in 2006.

The monthly Trolleywatch figures compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation shows that the number of patients on trolleys in hospitals around the country was 11,289 in January.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “A lack of adequate planning has put unnecessary stress on nurses and the patients they are trying to provide care for throughout the month of January. The number of patients on trolleys in wards outside our emergency departments have been unacceptably high. This practice should not be allowed to continue as a measure to try take pressure off our emergency departments.

“According to two recent opinion polls, over 75% of people would not visit an Emergency Department. The strategy of telling people to not attend hospital will have knock-on effects across the health service for months to come.

We cannot continue to accept the wait until things get unbearably bad approach before an attempt is made to lessen the pressure on our public hospital system. Nurses and their patients deserve better than this.”

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Forty Patients Waiting On Trolleys Today At UHK

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THERE are 40 patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry today according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

This is a record number at the hospital since the INMO started compiling  figures based on daily checks in emergency departments and wards across the country in 2006. The figures are not disputed by the HSE.

Nationally, over 931 patients are without beds in Irish hospitals today. This is also the highest number of patients that have been without a hospital bed since the trade union began counting trolleys 16 years ago.

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Commenting on today’s trolley figures, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “Today’s numbers require immediate and serious intervention from the government.

“We do not need those at the top to describe how we got here; we need to know what exactly the plan is from today until the end of February. Just telling people to avoid hospitals is not a plan or indeed safe.  The public need to know exactly what type of care they can expect over the next six weeks.”

“Our members are extremely disillusioned by the current set of circumstances they are working in. We are not seeing unsustainable overcrowding confined to a handful of hospitals, each hospital is facing significant overcrowding challenges, a trend which has continued to escalate since late summer. Our members are treating patients in inhumane and often unsafe conditions.

“We need Government to now make difficult decisions including the return of mandated mask-wearing in congregated settings. We know that one of the main pressure points in our health service is the rise of respiratory infections. Asking people to return to mask-wearing in busy congregated settings is a simple measure.”

“Over the coming days we need to see real tangible plans and decisions at a national level about the ensured safety in our acute public hospitals,” said Ms Ní Sheaghdha.

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355 Patients Waited On Trolleys At UHK In November

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NOVEMBER saw 355 patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry, the highest number for the month since 2019.

Back in November 2019 there were 399 people waiting on trolleys at UHK, the highest since records began back in 2006.

The monthly Trolleywatch figures compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation shows that numbers of patients on trolleys in hospitals around the country was 12,624 making it the worst November on record for figures. Over 563 of these patients were children.

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INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “We have seen yet another chaotic month in Irish hospitals, we have only had two days this month where there has been less than 500 people admitted to hospital without an inpatient bed. For the first time we have had over 563 children admitted without a bed in our hospitals. This cannot continue.

“The children’s hospitals are experiencing severe staffing shortages with up to 45% staffing deficits in some sites, and long-standing vacancies in nurse manager roles. This is reflected in very high numbers of children waiting on trolleys across the CHI sites, accompanied by relatives in very cramped and overcrowded spaces.  It is now commonplace that up to 40 sick children a day have to wait for a bed, while nurses in the hospitals struggle to provide safe care.

“This is not only dangerous for staff and for patients it is simply no way to safely treat sick children who are admitted to hospital. It also places a further burden on families who have to experience long waits while accompanying a sick child, potentially overnight.

“It is now absolutely vital that management and the HSE focus on recruitment, retention, accommodation and capacity at these sites as a matter of urgency, so we can put an end to the disgraceful scenes we’re currently seeing in the children’s hospitals.

“We know that we are seeing acute problems with hospital overcrowding in the Midwest and along the Western seaboard. Our members expect the HSE and the Government to treat this issue as the emergency it is and meet with the INMO to address the issues we have raised as immediately necessary to maintain safe care this winter. We do not want to be put in a position where care is compromised due to inaction from Government and the HSE.”

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220 Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK During October

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OCTOBER saw 220 patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry, the lowest number for the month in six years.

In October 2021 there were 343 people waiting on trolleys at UHK

The monthly Trolleywatch figures compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation shows that numbers of patients on trolleys in hospitals around the country was 10,679 making it the second highest October on record.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “We are now in a situation that unless we see meaningful interventions from the HSE and Government, we are going to be in a perilous state this winter in our hospitals. We have seen three instances of over 600 people on trolleys in the past week alone. This is not sustainable for nurses, midwives and other patient-facing staff.

“Over 393 children went without a bed this month. Our members in paediatric hospitals are reporting that not only are we seeing more and more children presenting, but there are also less staff to deal with the demand. The safe staffing levels in one Dublin paediatric hospital are half of what they should be. This cannot continue further into the winter.

“Unsafe staffing levels are going to be a feature of this winter unless we see targeted recruitment and retention plans in each hospital to allow for more nurses and midwives to be recruited at the pace in which we need them, Directors of Nursing and Midwifery in each hospital should have a greater role in recruitment.

“The Department of Health and HSE must come forward and state when exactly capacity will be utilised from the private sector. All capacity that is available to the State at this point must be made available until at least March. Our members and the patients they will be caring for must be assured that all beds that can be used, will be.

“We urgently need access to private hospital resources, increased staffing and a detailed timeline for the winter plan.”

Another Record-Breaking Month For Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK

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YET again this year, this month was a record-breaker for the number of patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry.

There were 343 people waiting on trolleys at UHK in August, an increase of 16 on the previous record for August last year when there were 327 patients on trolleys.

This follows on from a record-breaking June and July at the hospital for trolley figures. The monthly Trolleywatch figures compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation shows that numbers of patients on trolleys in hospitals around the country was 9,603 in August.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:  “For the third time this year, we have seen another monthly overcrowding record broken with 9,603 patients on trolleys through out the month of August.

“The consistently high levels of overcrowding we have seen this summer are sounding the alarm for a very bleak winter ahead unless immediate action is taken by the Minister for Health and the HSE in the form of a fully funded, winter plan. This plan should be published prior to the Emergency Taskforce reconvening on September. It is not good enough to publish a plan for winter when healthcare workers and patients are in the throes of a winter crisis.”

“As we head into a winter of unknowns in our health service, the Minister for Health and senior HSE management must make it their business to take every step that they can to protect nurses, midwives and patients.

“We know that over 1,171 healthcare workers have contracted COVID in the past four weeks. It is vital now that the booster and flu vaccines are provided to healthcare workers. The health and safety of our healthcare workforce and patients depends on it,” added Ms Ní Sheaghdha.

Record-Breaking Number Of Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK In July

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THERE was a record number of patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry in July.

There were 415 people waiting on trolleys at UHK in July, an increase of 180 on July 2021 when there were 235 patients on trolleys and up on the previous July record figure of 345 in 2019.

The monthly Trolleywatch figures compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation shows that numbers of patients on trolleys in hospitals around the country was 9,191.

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INMO Director of Professional Services Tony Fitzpatrick said: “The level of hospital overcrowding we have seen throughout this summer has been a cause of serious concern.

“Since the beginning of May we have seen 27,832 patients without a bed in Irish hospitals including 9,191 in July. The fact that 95 children under the age of sixteen have been without hospital beds in July should absolutely not be tolerated.

“Unless we see a hospital-by-hospital plan to tackle overcrowding, we are in for a very bleak winter in Irish hospitals which will see nurses and patients in extremely unsafe circumstances.”

Over 30 Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK

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THERE were 31 patients waiting on trolleys at the Emergency Department of University Hospital Kerry this morning.

This is the highest number this week, with 10 patients waiting on trolleys on Monday and 18 on Tuesday.

Nationwide there are 540 admitted patients waiting for beds this morning in the country’s hospitals, according to today’s Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Trolley Watch.

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Record-Breaking June For Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK

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THERE was a record number of patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry in June.

There were 345 people waiting on trolleys at UHK last month, an increase of 295 on June 2021 when there were 50 patients on trolleys and up on the previous June record figure of 233 in 2019.

The monthly Trolleywatch figures compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation shows that numbers of patients on trolleys in hospitals around the country was 9,961, making it the the worst June on record since the INMO began counting trolleys in 2006.

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INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “It has been a June like we have never seen in Irish hospitals with out-of-control hospital overcrowding coupled with rising COVID hospitalisations. In 16 years of counting trolleys, we’ve never seen June figures higher than the preceding January.

“Nurses are constantly raising the dangers associated with  overcrowding in their workplaces, however the figures for the month of June are out of control and a stark warning of what is to come for the autumn and winter period, considering none of the mitigation measures necessary are being implemented.”

“This level of overcrowding warrants senior HSE and government attention, it is not ok and it is not safe.”

Worst March Since 2019 For Number Of Patients On Trolleys In UHK

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THE number of patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry in March was the highest for that month since March 2019.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation trolley watch figures for the month showed there were 338 patients waiting on trolleys at UHK compared to 144 in 2021, 169 in 2020 and 360 in 2019.

The INMO confirmed that March 2022 has been the worst March for overcrowding nationwide since the union began counting trolleys in 2006.

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INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “When nurses and midwives use phrases like ‘out of control’ and ‘chaotic’ to describe hospital overcrowding we do not do so lightly. It has been the worst March for overcrowding since our union began counting trolleys in 2006 with 11,001 without beds.

“It has been an extremely busy month for those working in our hospitals with over 37% of those who have been on trolleys since the beginning of 2022 presenting to our hospitals in March.

“Hospitals are currently not safe for patients or for staff because of the level of overcrowding and COVID infection levels. We need clear and coherent public health advice from Government and senior public health officials. The public need to be made aware of why we need them to once again step up to the plate in order to protect those who are working on our frontlines.”

Record-Breaking October For Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK

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THERE was a record number of patients waiting on trolleys in University Hospital Kerry in October.

There were 343 people waiting on trolleys at UHK last month, an increase of over 100 on October 2020 (241) and up on the previous October record figure of 306 in 2019.

The monthly Trolleywatch figures compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation shows that numbers of patients on trolleys in hospitals around the country have almost doubled this October when compared to the same time period in 2020.

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INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “This month’s trolley figures are an indication of what lies ahead for patients and staff in our health service if action is not taken.

“These figures come in the backdrop of rapidly increasing COVID cases, increased hospitalisations and an increased number of nurses and midwives becoming infected with COVID-19.

“We urgently need to see action on ensuring that patient-facing healthcare workers have every protection possible to keep them safe as infection numbers are reaching the high numbers we saw earlier this year. We must see a recommendation from NIAC tomorrow on extending the vaccine booster to healthcare workers.

“At the start of the pandemic, the HSE said there would be zero tolerance of overcrowding. Our hospitals are no longer just full, they are overcrowded and we have not seen any detailed plan from the HSE in terms of winter planning. Winter is no longer a time coming down the tracks, it is already here. We are calling on the HSE and Minister Donnelly to outline in detail this week what exactly they are planning for the months ahead and what capacity will be made available from the private sector.

“If the HSE is planning to cancel electives then this decision needs to be taken now, not when the crisis is unmanageable.

“We need funding to implement the Safe-Staffing Framework, which determines the safe levels of nurse-to-patient ratio. Just like we have a pupil-teacher ratio that advises on the optimum number of children in a classroom to one teacher. We are hearing examples in our hospitals of one nurse to fifteen patients in a ward. This is not a safe environment for the nurse or patients.

“We know that is going to be a difficult period ahead for patient-facing staff. We cannot allow a situation where we have a repeat of trolley numbers that we saw in 2019. Trolley numbers cannot be allowed to continue to rise when we are still trying to contend with COVID-19 and all the implications it has on nurses and midwives. The HSE must take immediate action.”

High Number Of Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK Today

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THERE were 30 patients waiting on trolleys at the Emergency Department of University Hospital Kerry this morning.

It’s the highest number this week and almost double Tuesday’s figure of 16.

Nationwide there are 438 admitted patients waiting for beds this morning in the country’s hospitals, according to today’s Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Trolley Watch.

The UHK number includes two patients under the age of 16. Meanwhile, data from the HSE showed there was just one general bed vacant at the hospital up to 8pm on Wednesday evening, with no ICU beds available.

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UHK Had Worst September For Overcrowding Since Records Began Says INMO

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FIVE hospitals in Ireland, including University Hospital Kerry, have had their worst-ever September for overcrowding this month, new figures from the INMO show.

Cork University Hospital, Mercy University Hospital (Cork), University Hospital Kerry, Letterkenny University Hospital, and Portiuncula Hospital have all seen more patients on trolleys this September than any other year.

There were 422 people waiting on trolleys in UHK during September, up from 268 in the same month last year, 283 in 2019, 282 in 2018 and 114 in 2017.

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Overcrowding figures reached record lows nationally in 2019 and 2020 due to the pandemic response, but the INMO is warning that many hospitals are “rapidly returning to the bad old days of overcrowding”.

 

Overall, it is the second-worst-ever September for overcrowding in Ireland, with 8,414 on trolleys in September 2021. The worst-ever September was in 2019, with 10,641 on trolleys.

26 Patients Waiting On Trolleys At Emergency Department In UHK Today

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THERE were 26 patients waiting on trolleys at the Emergency Department of University Hospital Kerry this morning.

Nationwide there are 413 admitted patients waiting for beds this morning in the country’s hospitals, according to today’s Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Trolley Watch.

This is the highest number of patients on trolleys in one day since the start of the pandemic.

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Busiest August On Record For Number Of Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK

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THE latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation shows there were 327 patients waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Kerry.

This is the biggest number since the INMO began recording the numbers back in 2006. In August 2020 there were 208 patients waiting on trolleys.

The total trolley figures for the month of August saw 6,367 patients waiting for beds across the country in the last month, more than double the number in August 2020. Meanwhile, today there are 20 patients waiting on trolleys at UHK.

Just One Patient Was Waiting On A Trolley In UHK In The Past Five Days

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THERE was just one patient waiting on a trolley in the Emergency Department of University Hospital Kerry in the past five days.

According to data from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, the patient was waiting on the trolley on Tuesday.

Since Monday, just 41 patients were waiting on trolleys in the entire public hospital system in the country. These are unprecedented figures in unprecedented times.

Yesterday, the country”s Chief Medical Officer, Tony Holohan, urged members of the public to visit the Emergency Department of hospitals if they are experiencing significant health problems and not to let the COVID-19 crisis prevent them from attending and receiving treatment.

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UHK Has Nine Patients Waiting On Trolleys Today

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THERE are nine patients waiting on trolleys at the Emergency Department of University Hospital Kerry this morning and while that number is relatively low, it’s the highest of any hospital in the country today.

Numbers have been relatively low at UHK all week with seven waiting yesterday, three on Wednesday, four on Tuesday and 11 on Monday.

Nationwide, there are 64 admitted patients waiting for beds this morning, according to today’s INMO Trolley Watch, which is a fraction of normal figures for this time of year.

Letterkenny University Hospital has eight patients on trolleys,  Mercy University Hospital Cork has seven, University Hospital Limerick has four, St James’ Hospital and St Vincent’s University Hospital, both in Dublin have six each.

Worst February Ever For Numbers Of Patients On Trolleys At UHK

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THE INMO recorded the highest number of patients waiting on trolleys for the month of February since records began.

There were 449 patients waiting on trolleys in the hospital during the month which beats the previous highest figure of 359 in February of last year. Meanwhile, there were 28 patients waiting on trolleys today at the hospital.

Nationally there were 10,446 admitted patients waiting on trolleys last month, 23% more than February last year, when 8,515 people were on trolleys.

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INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said; “The long-running trolley crisis has to be priority number one in the government talks. 10,000 people have been lining the corridors and waiting rooms of Ireland’s hospitals in February. Our members are forced to provide care in appalling conditions.

“Meanwhile qualified healthcare staff are queueing up to work, but hospitals are unable to hire them. We have asked the health spokespeople of all the major parties to lift the recruitment embargo, and whatever the make-up of the next government we will insist that these obstacles to safe staffing are removed immediately.”

32 Patients Waiting On Trolleys At UHK On Wednesday

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THERE are 32 patients waiting on trolleys in the Emergency Department of University Hospital Kerry today according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The hospital’s ED is experiencing a very busy week so far, with 28 patients waiting on trolleys on Tuesday and 23 on Monday.

Every morning at 8am, INMO members count how many patients are waiting in the Emergency Department for a bed and how many are waiting in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

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The INMO Trolley Watch counts the number of patients who have been admitted to acute hospitals, but who are waiting for a free bed.

These patients are often being treated on trolleys in corridors, but they may also be on chairs, in waiting rooms, or simply wherever there’s space. The INMO started Trolley Watch in 2004.