177 patients waiting for beds in Irish hospitals

The INMO Trolley Watch states that 146 patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 31 are in wards elsewhere in hospitals.

According to the INMO, the worst-hit hospital is Cork University Hospital with 30 patients on trolleys waiting for a bed in the emergency department.

Limerick University Hospital is next with 28 patients waiting for a bed (nine in the emergency department and nine in wards elsewhere), followed by Sligo University Hospital where 20 patients are waiting for a bed (11 in the emergency department and nine in other wards).

177 patients waiting on hospital beds

The five busiest hospitals are listed below:

Cork University Hospital - 30 (all emergency department)

University Hospital Limerick - 28 (nine emergency department, 19 other wards)

Sligo University Hospital - 20 (11 emergency department, nine other wards)

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital - 17 (all emergency department)

Letterkenny University Hospital - (13 emergency department, three other wards)

177 patients are waiting on beds in Irish hospitals.

Only one day was busier for Irish hospitals last month with 192 people waiting on hospital beds nationwide on July 28th.

An INMO spokesperson said: "We are very concerned about the potential risks to patient and staff safety if overcrowding is allowed to escalate over the coming months. Returning to the high trolley figures of previous winters would be exceptionally dangerous this year. Safe staffing and capacity levels will be critical this winter as we continue to meet the challenges of Covid-19 and provide safe care across the health service."