The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has confirmed that March 2022 has been the worst March for overcrowding since the union began counting trolleys in 2006.

Some 11,001 patients have been without a bed in hospitals throughout the country in the month of March with UHL having the worst record.

In the month of March, 1,671 patients were treated on trolleys at the Mid-West’s main hospital. This was 76% higher than the next worst performing hospital, University Hospital Galway.

In Q1 of 2022, 29,506 patients have been without a bed.

INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said, “When nurses and midwives use phrases like ‘out of control’ and ‘chaotic’ to describe hospital overcrowding we do not do so lightly. It has been the worst March for overcrowding since our union began counting trolleys in 2006 with 11,001 without beds.

“It has been an extremely busy month for those working in our hospitals with over 37% of those who have been on trolleys since the beginning of 2022 presenting to our hospitals in March.

“Hospitals are currently not safe for patients or for staff because of the level of overcrowding and COVID infection levels. We need clear and coherent public health advice from Government and senior public health officials. The public need to be made aware of why we need them to once again step up to the plate in order to protect those who are working on our frontlines.”