'Silence from decision makers' - INMO reports record-breaking hospital overcrowding in 2022

Figures collected by an Irish nurses group have revealed 2022 is the worst on record for hospital overcrowding. 

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), more than 118,662 people waited on trolleys at Irish hospitals this year, with a further 624 people without beds today (December 21). 

The previous annual record for hospital overcrowding was 118,367 in 2019. 

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." 

University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded hospital nationwide between January 4, 2022 and December 21, 2022, with 17,640 people waiting for beds during that time. 

This was followed by Cork University Hospital with 12,133 people waiting for beds, Galway University Hospital (10,012 people), Sligo University Hospital (7,977 people), and St Vincent's University Hospital (7,406 people).  

Ms Ní Sheaghdha continued: "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."