Kilkenny bucks national trend as trolley figures stand at 'unacceptable' levels

Over 11,070 patients, including 258 children, were admitted to hospital without a bed in April, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

In Kilkenny, 301 patients were admitted to hospital without a bed in April, 152 patients fewer than March.

The top five most overcrowded hospitals were; University Hospital Limerick (1,971 patients), Galway University Hospital (1,208 patients), Cork University Hospital (1,096 patients), St Vincent’s University Hospital (650 patients) and Letterkenny University Hospital (594 patients).

"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 INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha commented.

"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," she added.