Irish health system 'completely overwhelmed' going into St Patrick's Day warn nurses

The healthcare system in Ireland is "completely overwhelmed", according to an Irish nurses group. 

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) are once again reporting high trolley figures at hospitals across the country, with 651 patients waiting without beds today (March 15), 27 of whom are children. 

University Hospital Limerick is the most overcrowded hospital nationwide with 116 people waiting for beds, followed by Cork University Hospital where 74 people are waiting, and University Hospital Galway (52 people). 

Commenting on today’s trolley figures, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said, "It is clear that hospital overcrowding is out of control once again. The level of overcrowding in some of our emergency departments warrants a national response.

"The INMO has been in contact with the new Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive seeking an urgent meeting in the next 24 hours ahead of what will be an extremely busy bank holiday weekend for our members.

"It is clear that the system is now completely overwhelmed. We need targeted measures to tackle this crisis, particularly in the Midwest where the overcrowding is completely out of hand." 

Despite the high number of people waiting on trolleys today, six hospitals nationwide are free from overcrowding including Wexford General Hospital, Our Lady's Hospital Navan, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, Nenagh General Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, and Connolly Hospital.