South Tipperary General Hospital has second highest number on trolleys across Ireland

Figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation yesterday showed that there were 352 patients on hospital trolleys or waiting to be admitted to a bed yesterday morning.

There were 259 people in emergency departments on trolleys which is 23 higher than the maximum allowed under new HSE targets which came into force on the first day of this month.

Cork University had the highest numbers waiting with 34, five more that what was waiting at South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel which is often the first port of call for emergency treatment for people in the South Tipperary, West Waterford, South Tipperary and North Cork regions.

Health Minister Simon Harris said that while the overcrowding figures were unacceptable, the number of patients on trolleys was less this year than last year.

Pressure has been put on many hospitals across the country due to the large number of bed closures and the significant rise in infections and the winter vomiting bug.

INMO General Secretary Liam Doran has said it’s too late to invent beds this month, but said more has to be done on staffing to deal with pressures.