Health minister questions Cork University Hospital’s trolley figures

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill criticised Cork University Hospital (CUH) in the Dáil, asking why trolley numbers remain high despite the hospital recruiting the most staff of any Irish hospital.

Carroll MacNeill, the Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, compared CUH with Dublin’s St James’ and Beaumont hospitals, which she said face similar demand and resources but have lower trolley counts. She noted CUH has recruited 233 people – the highest recruitment figure nationally – yet still has 40 to 44 patients on trolleys, according to HSE data.

The minister’s remarks followed comments from CUH chief executive Jennifer Kearney, who warned that patient safety is worsening because of resource shortages, with CT scanners “gathering dust” amid widespread vacancies. Labour TD Marie Sherlock also highlighted idle CT scanners at CUH due to a lack of sanctioned staff.

INMO data showed 531 patients waiting for beds nationwide, with 351 in emergency departments and 180 on wards. At CUH, 52 patients were on trolleys, including 45 in the emergency department, while HSE figures recorded 44.

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty called for broader recruitment, noting a 21 % rise in older patients spending over 24 hours on trolleys in the first half of the year. Carroll MacNeill argued that other hospitals with similar staffing increases have reduced trolley numbers, questioning why CUH has not.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Даниил Зенцов / Pexels.