Over 3,700 patients left on trolleys at MUH so far in 2023
Trolley Watch figures paint a grim picture of the overcrowding situation in our hospitals.
Over 20,000 people have been on trolleys in the four western hospitals so far this year with more than 3,700 patients left waiting for treatment at Mayo University Hospital (MUH).
The data from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) found that 3,769 patients were on trolleys at MUH up to October 25, while 6,681 were on trolleys at Sligo University Hospital (SUH), which was the fourth most overcrowded hospital.
Elsewhere, University Hospital Galway had 7,453 people on trolleys so far in 2023 and Portiuncula Hospital had 2,297.
The figures revealed that more than 100,000 people had been on trolleys in Irish hospitals so far this year.
Castlebar-based Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said the figures are very concerning and the Government needs to address the situation.
"This is an indictment of our health service and I have raised these issues many times in relation to the additional accommodation that is needed at Mayo University Hospital,” he added.
Cllr Kilcoyne accused the Government of cutting back on services and believes the situation is only going to get worse as he fears some health professionals may not be replaced.
“We’re waiting 10 years for an extension for the A&E at MUH, so these figures do not surprise me at all and it is the result of years of neglect."
