The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has issued an urgent warning about a looming summer trolley crisis as 524 patients were left on trolleys, chairs or inappropriate bed spaces across the country on 1st July.

The stark figures reveal the scale of hospital overcrowding, with Cork’s two main hospitals among those significantly affected. Cork University Hospital recorded 30 patients on trolleys, whilst Mercy University Hospital Cork had 10 patients awaiting proper beds.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, INMO General Secretary:

“It is extremely concerning that 524 patients are being treated on a trolley, chair or in another inappropriate bed space on July 1st. Unless there is intense work to build community services, including an increase in public health nursing, community nursing and home help services we will be facing into a serious trolley crisis for the rest of summer heading into autumn.”

The warning comes as June saw a staggering 7,989 patients treated in inappropriate spaces nationwide. The figures are particularly worrying as they occur during summer months when hospitals typically experience lower patient volumes due to reduced viral infections.

Ní Sheaghdha criticised the HSE’s current approach, stating that nurses should not have to warn about overcrowding during traditionally quieter summer periods. She called the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy “counterproductive” for developing alternative care pathways.

The INMO data shows the Eastern region bearing the heaviest burden with 119 patients on trolleys, followed by significant numbers across county hospitals. University Hospital Limerick recorded the highest individual count with 133 patients, whilst University Hospital Galway had 69 patients awaiting beds.

The organisation has demanded the HSE outline immediate steps to radically reduce overcrowding at each hospital before the situation deteriorates further into autumn.