More than 560 wait for hospital beds as trolley numbers rise – signalling growing pressure on emergency departments

Some 401 patients were waiting in the emergency department, while 166 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital, according to the Trolley Watch figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives (INMO) organisation.

The highest number of patients without a bed are in University Hospital Limerick where 110 are waiting for a bed, 46 are on trolleys in the emergency department and 64 on other wards.

Also under pressure is Cork University Hospital where 81 patients in need of a bed are on trolleys, including 69 in the emergency department.

It comes before the annual surge in winter illnesses including flu, Covid-19 and RSV, which contribute further to congestion.

Other hospitals facing overcrowding are University Hospital Galway and Mullingar Hospital.

Two of the patients waiting for a bed are children aged under 16.

University Hospital Limerick, which has the only emergency department in the midwest, will not get extra beds until June of next year, leaving it to struggle through another winter.

It comes as the HSE launched a free nasal spray flu vaccination programme today.

The vaccine is available for free for all children aged 2-17 years from participating GP practices and pharmacies. Some GP practices and pharmacies will also be offering the vaccine for free in some primary schools.

Dr Lucy Jessop, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the HSE National Immunisation Office says: "Flu is a serious illness that can be dangerous in children. We know that children are twice as likely as adults to catch flu and can spread flu easily to other children. Young children, in particular, are more likely than adults to be very sick from flu. Vaccinating children protects them – and their siblings, parents, grandparents and those who are vulnerable.

"Children are given the nasal vaccine by spraying the vaccine once into each nostril. It is a quick and painless spray. Children can breathe normally and many of them say that it tickles when being given. Getting the nasal spray flu vaccine is a safe, quick, pain free and effective way to protect children from flu this winter. We are encouraging parents to talk to a participating GP or pharmacy about getting your child vaccinated for free."

"While most children who catch flu have mild symptoms, flu can sometimes lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis in some children. Children, especially young children, are also more likely than adults to get severe complications of flu."