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The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has revealed that over 87% of surveyed nurses have treated patients in “inappropriate settings” over the past year, including Emergency Department corridors and ward porches.
The findings come from the union’s first ‘Behind the Trolley Numbers’ survey, which was completed by nurses working in the country’s acute hospitals.
The survey examined their experiences of treating patients on trolleys or in hospital corridors, targeting not just Emergency Department nurses but also those working in hospital wards where patients were being treated without a proper bed.
Conducted between 19th and 31st January, the survey covered a period when more than 6,395 patients were admitted to hospital without a bed.
A total of 84.37% of respondents reported having cared for patients in “inappropriate settings” such as Emergency Department corridors, waiting rooms, ward porches, treatment rooms, and other unsuitable areas in the past year. Of these, 85.28% said they believed patient care and safety were compromised in these conditions.
Additionally, 71.94% of respondents reported witnessing patient safety incidents directly linked to these settings, including falls, delays in medication, and postponed treatments. Many highlighted the complete lack of privacy and dignity for patients left on trolleys.
The overwhelming majority of respondents identified increasing bed capacity (83.33%) and hiring more nursing staff (80.48%) as crucial steps to tackling hospital overcrowding.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha commented on the figures, describing them as “simply inexcusable”.
“The feeling amongst our members is that patients are being treated as mere numbers, despite the objections raised by those working on the frontline,” he said.
“Many of our members are now afraid that they will be punished if they report unsafe conditions to management, creating a culture of silence. Ultimately, nurses feel let down by management in many locations who are doing very little to address workload and safety concerns.”
Ní Sheaghdha said that “the vast majority” of union members who reported working in overcrowded settings said it led to an increased workload and that “their stress levels are on the rise.”
“Along with this, they’re telling us that the situation is leading to a lower quality of patient care,” he said.
“This situation is avoidable, but it has been allowed to worsen year and year at the expense of the health and safety of staff and patients alike. This is simply inexcusable.
“Nurses have voiced serious apprehensions about the suitability of some patient care areas, yet these warnings continue to be disregarded by the Health Service Executive.”
He added that there were “ethical concerns” with the findings.
“Many patients do not have access to call bells, oxygen points, or suction, appropriate toilet facilities, proper beds, hoists, or pressure-relieving mattresses,” he said.
“Patients with infectious diseases, dementia, or mental health conditions are being placed in inappropriate settings, increasing risks for both staff and other patients.
“Nurses on the frontline are crying out for support, and they feel ignored. Instead of additional staff, they are being faced with recruitment embargoes and needless administrative obstacles to increasing staffing.
“Through this survey, our members are reporting that they are experiencing high levels of exhaustion, overwhelm, and demoralisation, leading to burnout and potential errors.”
Ní Sheaghdha said that the Government should pursue a “radical plan” to staff hospitals, and retain existing staff in the coming year.
“Anything short of this will continue to put lives in danger,” he added.
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