Last month worst April on record for hospital overcrowding, says INMO

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Last month was the worst April on record for hospital overcrowding, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has said.

The union’s figures show that in April 11,175 patients around the country were admitted to hospital but unable to access a bed.

Last year, 8,659 patients were affected in the same month.

The long-term degradation of their working environment has a profound effect on our members and we know that this affects their careers and their wellbeing

The highest number in the last decade was 11,070 in 2024, the INMO said.

The union’s general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the figure is “inexcusable” in a mild month “with no particular crisis preventing the smooth functioning of the health service”.

She added “The long-term degradation of their working environment has a profound effect on our members and we know that this affects their careers and their wellbeing.”

Nurses’ energy and mental capacity “are all continuously affected by shortfalls in the health system”, she said.

The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.