STORM TRACKER: Follow 'Storm Amy' as it bears down on Ireland amid brutal forecast
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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The Emergency Department at MUH is extremely busy today.
Mayo University Hospital is seeing serious overcrowding issues, today, Wednesday, January 3. 36 patients are on trolleys according to figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
22 of those patients are in the Emergency Department, and 14 others are on trolleys in wards. 532 patients are on trolleys nationally. Sligo University Hospital and University Hospital Galway have also seen a spike in figures, with 33 and 35 patients on trolleys respectively.
The rise in trolleys numbers was expected by the HSE, who warned that an increase in Covid and flu cases was likely early in the new year.
Dr Colm Henry, HSE Chief Clinical Officer said on Thursday, December 28: “Rates of Covid and flu are rising now and over next few weeks, which will put significant pressure on hospitals and Residential Care Facilities in the short term. Our Emergency Departments are expected to encounter significant pressures as a result and we know from experience that a delayed peak in flu season such as we are seeing now, will inevitably lead to further pressures throughout the healthcare system with heightened risk of outbreaks in all facilities and delays discharging patients to nursing homes or step down facilities if they have flu or Covid.
“This increase in viruses circulating obliges anyone with respiratory symptoms to avoid visiting hospitals and nursing homes if we have respiratory symptoms. Every healthcare setting is assessing the risks locally and monitoring their own local risks, and this may lead them to take additional measures in certain settings, such as the wearing of masks if deemed necessary. Such measures will help protect those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of these infections and avoid impact on services at a very busy time of year. There is no room for complacency and I urge people to follow public health advice - stay at home if you have symptoms and get vaccinated - before we reach the peak of flu season in the very near future.”
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