Waterford hospital had over 200 people waiting for beds last year
Waterford had the fourth lowest number nationally of patients left without appropriate bed space. Photo: iStock
According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives’ Organisation (INMO), University Hospital Waterford (UHW) had 239 patients waiting for appropriate bed space in 2024. This was the fourth lowest across the country in 2024.
Last year, the hospital with the lowest number of people stuck on trolleys was Bantry General Hospital, with just seven.
University Hospital Limerick was the most overcrowded, with a trolley total of 8,759. Temple Street Children's Hospital had the highest rate of children in inappropriate bed space out of all the children's hospitals. 552 children were waiting on a proper bed in Temple Street in 2024. Combining all of the children's hospitals and children waiting on beds in non-paediatric hospitals gives a figure of 1,238 children in 2024 who were waiting for a proper bed in a hospital.
So far this year, 17 people have not been given the appropriate bed in UHW, according to the INMO.
According to the HSE, there have been zero patients left on trolleys but a spokesperson for the INMO told the Waterford News & Star that this was because the two organisations count the numbers differently.
Every morning at 8am, the INMO counts how many patients are in an "inappropriate situation", whether that’s on a trolley, in a chair or without a proper breathing apparatus such as oxygen masks.
A spokesperson from the INMO told the Waterford News & Star that, compared to other hospitals in the country, "they take it very seriously when people are on trolleys in Waterford."
The HSE, on the other hand, considers how long the patient has been in the hospital.
However, according to the HSE, UHW still uses "surge capacity" beds, which are meant to be used in emergencies only.
On January 16, five surge capacity beds were in use, and 23 people experienced delays in transfers between wards.
According to reporting by the Irish Examiner, the Irish Patients Association considers UHW “slightly improved” in relation to patient waiting lists.
A spokesperson from UHW said: "Patients entering through the ED at UHW are treated as quickly as possible to ensure its patients receive safe, timely and high-quality care."
