University Hospital Kerry records lowest October overcrowding figures on record

University Hospital Kerry bucked national health trends last month by recording its lowest ever levels of hospital overcrowding for the month of October. Radiokerry.ie reported that figures from the Irish Nurses' and Midwives' Organisation confirmed the record low for patients left on trolleys at the facility. [1]

The hospital statistics stand in contrast to national data collected across Ireland during the same period. According to radiokerry.ie, Irish Nurses' and Midwives' Organisation figures show that October was nationally the worst month on record for hospital overcrowding, with 12,672 patients admitted to hospitals across the country without a dedicated bed. That national total represents an increase of almost 24 percent. [1]

Phil Ni Sheaghdha, the general secretary of the Irish Nurses' and Midwives' Organisation who comes from Ventry, described the nationwide situation as a complete crisis. The report by radiokerry.ie noted her statement that patients across Ireland were being completely let down by the current conditions in hospitals. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Irish health officials have been examining trolley counts across regional facilities, including Cork University Hospital where high trolley numbers persisted despite recent staff recruitment. The drop in overcrowding at University Hospital Kerry occurred during a month where County Kerry also recorded the lowest hours of sunshine in Ireland, as FTMQ News reported earlier. [7][8]