The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called on the Government and HSE to take action in light of serious hospital overcrowding while Covid hospitalisations continue to increase.
It comes as 532 patients are without a bed in Irish hospitals today, coupled with 1,035 Covid hospitalisations.
There are 59 patients left without a bed in CUH, while 22 are waiting on trolleys in the Mercy Hospital.
The INMO have 4 key concerns which include reintroducing mask wearing, the return of Covid screening when patients arrive at hospitals, boosters to be offered to healthcare workers, and improved ventilation in healthcare settings.
INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:
“Yet again, we are seeing abnormally high trolley numbers today, with 532 patients for whom there are no beds. There has not been a day since June 3rd where there has been less than 400 people on trolleys. This is completely unacceptable at a time of year when overcrowding traditionally eases off. It is impossible for our members to provide safe care when we are seeing huge numbers without beds in our hospitals coupled with high numbers of COVID hospitalisations. The Government must take certain steps to stem the worst of this crisis before the Dáil goes into recess later this week."
