
Hospital overcrowding: 411 patients waiting for beds
This includes 282 patients waiting in emergency departments, while 129 are in wards elsewhere in hospitals.
Advertisement
The most overcrowded hospital is University Hospital Limerick (UHL) where there are 97 patients on trolleys.
This is followed by University Hospital Galway (65 patients waiting for beds), Beaumont Hospital (29 patients), the Mater Hospital (28 patients) and Sligo University Hospital (24 patients).
The most overcrowded emergency departments are University Hospital Galway (45 patients on trolleys), UHL (38 patients), Beaumont Hospital (29 patients) and the Mater Hospital (28 patients).
All the patients without beds in Beaumont and the Mater are in the emergency department.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BreakingNews.ie
44 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Hospital overcrowding: Over 9,200 people on trolleys in July
Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show there were 9271 patients treated on trolleys in July. The hospital with the highest number of patients not treated on a bed is University Hospital Limerick, with 2,257 patients. Advertisement 1,146 people were treated on trolleys in University Hospital Galway, with 889 people without a bed at Cork University Hospital. INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said action is needed ahead of the autumn. 'The figures speak for themselves, and high trolley numbers in summer only send a negative message to our healthcare workers and the people of this country. Nurses and midwives are disheartened heading into the autumn winter period, and they already know they will have to endure the added pressure of flu and other viral infections including COVID. 'Trolleys are no longer just a feature in our emergency departments, they have now unfortunately become a feature across medical and surgical wards. In the space of ten years, the number of people receiving care on a trolley outside of the emergency department has risen by 30%. The Government's capital plan must include expanding the number of beds. Advertisement 'Our members are already providing care under stress and strain due to hospital overcrowding and that has a negative impact on them and the patients in their care. "The union has repeatedly called on the HSE for a commitment to building up our community services across the island to ensure we are set for seasons when we know there will be in increase in infections and increased hospital overcrowding. 'All signs are pointing towards an extremely busy winter period. Over 68,154 patients have been admitted to an inappropriate care space in our hospitals so far this year and all trends suggest that we will have another record-breaking year for trolley admissions unless urgent measures are taken. 'In the INMO's pre-budget submission we have called for a rebalancing of resources toward workforce development, the development of primary care and community services, the promotion of universal healthcare, and the expansion of nurse and midwife-led services. At the same time addressing the capacity issues, increased bed capacity across the health service, reducing waiting lists and addressing the privatisation of long-term care. Advertisement "These measures will deliver stronger, more sustainable health outcomes and greater value for every euro spent. 'There is a remedy for perpetual trolley crises if the Government wishes to invest properly in the health service.' On Friday, there is 368 people without a bed, with 65 people at UHL being treated on trolleys.


BreakingNews.ie
15 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Parents of boy who died with severe scoliosis pledge to continue advocating for children
The parents of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt, who died last Tuesday after waiting years for scoliosis surgery, said they 'will continue to campaign' for healthcare for children with serious life-threatening conditions. 'We are devastated, Harvey was our rock star,' said Stephen Morrison, Harvey's father. Advertisement 'We have to continue to campaign for other kids, because if we didn't we would be doing Harvey a disservice.' 'After a while we will go strong again in our campaign. There are so many other children like Harvey and families like ours who need help and support,' Mr Morrison said. 'Harvey was our little rock star, he would burst into a room, he wanted to let everyone know he was in the room.' 'Anyone who met him said he had these big wide beautiful eyes that would draw you into him, a lot of people said to us that they felt like Harvey was here before, that he was an old soul.' Advertisement 'Harvey was battling for so long, we are absolutely devastated.' Harvey, from Clondalkin in Dublin, was waiting three years for scoliosis surgery as the curvature on his spine continued to extend to a life-threatening 130 degrees. The spinal curve grew so serious that it was crushing Harvey's ribcage and lungs and putting severe pressure on his heart. His condition was highlighted in February 2024 when his parents shared a video of their son struggling to breathe due to the curve on his spine. Advertisement His story as well as growing waiting lists for children's surgery nationally were all later highlighted in the Dáil. Despite long demanding action over their son's surgery, his mother Gillian Sherratt discovered during a routine enquiry last August that, in fact, Harvey had been removed from Children's Health Ireland's active scoliosis surgical waiting list without their knowledge and despite Harvey requiring the life-saving operation. While not directly involved in their son's care, orthopaedic surgeon David Moore, director of a recently formed government appointed spinal surgery to deal with the inadequate surgical services, emailed Ms Sherratt in response and told her: "I apologise for any misunderstanding that appears to have occurred in respect of Harvey's case." Mr Moore also explained in the email that Harvey was not a candidate for surgery abroad, but that he was "happy to facilitate' Harvey being reviewed by two Irish-based surgeons. Advertisement Harvey eventually had his surgery last December. However, his curve had grown to such a significant size it was impossible to completely correct it. Professor Damian McCormack, lead consultant surgeon in paediatric orthopaedic surgery at Temple Street Children's Hospital, performed the surgery reducing some of the pressure on the boy's lungs and heart. Ms Sherratt said at the time that she and Mr Morrison had 'huge respect' for Prof McCormack, and that they were 'so thankful to Professor Damian McCormack for being the only person that was actually willing to operate on Harvey'. Professor McCormack and consultant surgeon Connor Green had previously addressed an Oireachtas Health Committee calling on CHI and the State for more resources to help tackle the scoliosis surgery waiting list scandal, and regularly advocated for better training for Irish surgeons to tackle the 'most complex' scoliosis cases at home. Advertisement Harvey was one of those complex cases, his parents explained on a number of occasions, as they campaigned for more timely treatment for children with scoliosis and other serious health issues. Ireland Call for full inquiry into CHI and how they handle... Read More Harvey's remains will repose at Massey Bros Funeral Home, Clondalkin, Dublin, from 3pm-5pm, Friday, August 1st. He will be remembered at a public cremation service at Newland's Crematorium Chapel, Newlands Cross, Dublin, at 1pm on Saturday. His parents have invited friends and the wider public 'to join us to celebrate Harvey's life, and dress in colour' at his cremation service, and they asked that mourners make a donation, if desired, to Child Vision In Memory of Harvey, in lieu of flowers at Harvey is survived by his parents Gillian and Stephen, his sister Lyla and brother Remy, grandparents Ann, Gordon, Christina and Thomas, and his aunts, uncles and cousins.


The Guardian
20 hours ago
- The Guardian
Asylum seekers on Nauru contract dengue as advocates call on Australia to take responsibility
At least nine asylum seekers on Nauru have contracted dengue fever amid an outbreak on the island, including one man who was medically evacuated to Australia for treatment and then returned this week, according to a legal aid group and an asylum seeker there. Cases of dengue, also known as break-bone fever, rose sharply in July amid a broader outbreak of the virus in the Pacific. The infection is transmitted through mosquito bites, and those with symptoms can experience a high fever, body aches, headache and nausea. Severe cases may require hospitalisation, and in extreme cases lead to death. Those infected a second time are at even greater risk of severe dengue. Nauru's president, David Adeang, said last week he was 'overwhelmed by the increased number of dengue fever cases', including among families and children. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Two children died of dengue in Nauru on Wednesday, the government said in a public statement on social media. 'The health of our community depends on the actions we take now,' Adeang said. 'This rapid spread of dengue requires every one of us to unite.' Heidi Abdel-Raouf, the manager of detention casework advocacy at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), said the group was aware of nine men who have dengue, 'but there are reports of many more'. There are approximately 93 asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru, who mostly live in the community on a stipend of $230 a fortnight from the Australian government. They have been there between two and 22 months, and will never be settled in Australia under government policies. Those with refugee status currently have no resettlement options. 'Many of the men have pre-existing health conditions, which mean that the illness that they have with dengue is just compounding,' Abdel-Raouf said. 'We know from the history of offshore detention that … due to indefinite detention and poor living conditions and limited and inadequate healthcare services, that detention effectively makes people really unwell.' An asylum seeker on Nauru told the Guardian he was diagnosed with dengue four or five days ago. He said through an interpreter that he still had a fever, his entire body was painful and he could not eat. He was taken to a facility for blood tests and told to take two tablets of Panadol every six hours after his diagnosis. There is no specific treatment for dengue and doctors generally advise the use of analgesics to control pain. 'I am very concerned because I don't think the medication, Panadol, will be helping me, especially because I cannot eat,' he said. 'It's hard to move around, I don't have enough strength because I cannot eat enough, so I am very concerned.' Accessing mosquito nets, he said, was 'impossible'. 'There are no mosquito nets available anywhere in Nauru.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The ASRC said some of the men on Nauru who were sick with dengue had reported difficulties getting enough paracetamol to deal with the pain caused by the virus, with some reporting receiving 10 tablets when they required at least 30 to help manage a few days of sickness. Abdel-Raouf also said the men had difficulty accessing Hydralyte and fruit and vegetables to aid their recovery. The asylum seeker who spoke to the Guardian said in his case, he had been given enough Panadol to comply with his doctor's treatment plan. ASRC also said some of the men had requested mosquito repellant and insect netting, but authorities and case managers were not able to help them. 'Some men were particularly concerned because they live in a jungle-like area, with a higher number of mosquitoes, a higher chance of getting dengue,' Abdel-Raouf said. Guardian Australia contacted the Australian Border Force for comment on medical supplies and insect control measures provided to those on Nauru, as well as figures on the number of people sickened with dengue. The Nauru government did not reply to a request for comment on the outbreak. The Department of Home Affairs said it was aware cases of dengue fever were rising in Nauru, adding it is following the lead of the country's government 'to coordinate the response to the dengue outbreak'. A spokesperson said transfer to Australia for temporary treatment 'may occur on a case-by case-basis depending on individual circumstances where necessary medical treatment is not available on Nauru or to support engagement with third country migration options'. The department added that transitory persons 'do not have a settlement pathway in Australia'. The Department of Foreign Affairs' website notes that severe dengue fever is rare, but 'a medical emergency that needs hospital treatment'. Islands across the Pacific including Samoa, Fiji and Kiribati all reported high numbers of dengue cases in recent weeks. At least two people died in Samoa in the latest outbreak. Abdel-Raouf said the situation on Nauru would only grow worse the longer people seeking asylum in Australia remained there. 'The health system on Nauru is already fragile and easily overwhelmed – it will struggle to cope with this outbreak,' she said. 'Australia has a clear responsibility for the refugees our government has banished there.' A UN watchdog ruled in January that Australia had violated the rights of asylum seekers detained on Nauru, finding a nation 'cannot escape its human rights responsibility when outsourcing asylum processing to another state'. Australia has maintained it is not responsible for the treatment of asylum seekers of refugees there, saying it works 'closely' with the country to 'support the provision of health, welfare and support services'.