This year has been the worst year on record for hospital overcrowding according to the INMO’s Trolley Watch figures.
University Hospital Limerick, Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway were the most over-crowded.
Over 121,526 patients have gone without a bed in Irish hospitals this year, with 517 patients on trolleys in Irish hospitals today.
INMO General-Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the record has now been broken for two consecutive years.
"With six days to Christmas, there has been no let-up in pressure for our nurses and midwives who are working in overcrowded and understaffed hospitals," she said.
"For the second year in a row we have broken overcrowding records.
"The year is not even over and 121,526 patients have been admitted to hospital without a bed.
"Over 3,450 children have been on trolleys so far this year, an increase of 24% on the previous year. This is not something to celebrate and was entirely predictable."
'Patient dignity compromised'
Ms Ní Sheaghdha said a recruitment freeze will add to the problems they are facing.
"Instead of coming forward with plans to drastically improve the lot of our members and patients who find themselves in emergency departments, the HSE have instead decided to implement a recruitment freeze which will further demoralise a burned out, exhausted workforce," she said.
"We know from past experience that it can take a long time to reverse the impact of any recruitment freeze.
"The independent agency HIQA last week stated that in over 80% of the hospitals they have inspected, patient dignity was compromised and that workforce planning must be prioritised.
"Long delays, inadequate bed space and unsafe staffing levels are making it impossible for our members to provide safe care," she added.
The top five most overcrowded hospitals in 2023 include:
- University Hospital Limerick (21,141 patients)
- Cork University Hospital (12,487 patients)
- University Hospital Galway (8,914 patients)
- Sligo University Hospital (8,094 patients)
- St Vincent’s University Hospital (6,555 patients)
