Over 10,500 patients were left waiting on trolleys in hospitals nationwide last month, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has said.

According to its latest ‘Trolley Watch’ figures, a total of 10,515 patients were left waiting on trolleys in September. The worst affected hospitals during the month were University Hospital Limerick (1,382 patients on trolleys), Cork University Hospital (1,260) and University Hospital Galway (1,032).

Commenting on the figures, INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, warned of a “catastrophic winter” ahead.

“Besides a leaked draft winter plan, we have no clear vision from healthcare leaders as to what the solution for this winter is. The ongoing problems with overcrowding are leaving nurses completely demoralised and we have a severe recruitment and retention problem within the health service,” she said.

She pointed out that last week alone, over a dozen nurses working in the emergency department of a large teaching hospital in Dublin handed in their notice.

“Our members are now voting with their feet and saying that they will not stand for another winter where they are demoralised, burnt out and abused in their workplace because of excessive workloads,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Ní Sheaghdha noted that despite promises from senior hospital management that things have improved, University Hospital Limerick was once again the most overcrowded hospital in the country last month.

“The INMO visited the hospital this week and saw first hand the conditions our members are working in. There is no dignity for patients who end up in this hospital. Their care is no doubt being compromised because of the conditions,” she insisted.

She added that staff need to know what measures will be implemented “to keep our nurses in the system”, while patients need assurances that their care will not be compromised.