Over 300 people on trolleys last month at Kildare's main hospital

A total of 314 people were treated on trolleys at Naas Hospital, having been admitted through the accident and emergency department, in July.

The July 2025 figure is the highest for that month since July 2017 when 338 people were on trolleys. It is the third highest figure for that month since the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation began recording overcrowding figures in 2006.

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Only two hospitals in the eastern region - the Mater and St Vincent’s - had more patients on trolleys last month than Naas.

There were 99 patients on trolleys in Portlaoise JHospital and none in Tullamore.

The most overcrowded hospital in Ireland was University Hospital Limerick (2,257 patients), followed by University Hospital Galway (1,146); Cork University Hospital (889); Sligo University Hospital (706) and Letterkenny University Hospital (505).

NMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the numbers send a negative message to healthcare workers and the people of the country.

“Nurses and midwives are disheartened heading into the autumn winter period, and they already know they will have to endure the added pressure of flu and other viral infections including Covid-19,” Ms Ní Sheaghdha added

Trolleys have become a feature across medical adn surgery wards, she said.

“In the space of ten years, the number of people receiving care on a trolley outside of the emergency department has risen by 30%. The government’s capital plan must include expanding the number of beds.

“In the space of ten years, the number of people receiving care on a trolley outside of the emergency department has risen by 30%. The Government’s capital plan must include expanding the number of beds.