The INMO has stated that 11,130 patients have been treated without a hospital bed in March 2026, making it the second highest March on record in terms of hospital overcrowding.
The most overcrowded hospitals this month were:
- University Hospital Limerick 1,701 patients
- Cork University Hospital 939 patients
- Sligo University Hospital 924 patients
- St Vincent’s University Hospital 870 patients
- University Hospital Galway 862 patients
INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said:
This is the third consecutive month that we have seen over 10,000 people on trolleys in our hospitals, and our members are now concerned that this will become the new normal. Current trolley trends predict how the system will cope come autumn and winter.
Every year that we see higher overcrowding numbers, it means the bar for safety in our hospitals is being lowered. And our members are the ones who have to bridge the gap between the patients’ needs and the lack of resources.
This is deeply unfair to patients, and the physical and psychological effects on these workers are enormous. These are not acceptable standards in healthcare or in working conditions, and it is vital that any shortfalls in staffing and resources are addressed so that this situation does not continue or worsen over the coming months.