The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called on the Government to take action, as hospitals recorded massive overcrowding levels in the first week of 2026.
Two of the most-overcrowded hospitals in the country were in the North-West in the first week of this year.
Sligo University Hospital and Letterkenny University Hospital have been ranked as the fourth and fifth-most overcrowded hospitals in the country according to the INMO’s Trolley Watch.
At Sligo University Hospital, 176 patients have had to wait for a bed on trolleys in the hospital’s Emergency Department, whilst 96 patients have waited on beds on wards according to the latest data.
Meanwhile at Letterkenny University Hospital, 91 patients have been forced to wait on a trolley for an ED bed, with 174 patients waiting on a bed on one of the hospital’s wards.
The INMO is urging the Government to increase bed capacity and staffing levels, so their members can continue to provide safe care to all those who need it.
“Over 3,179 patients have been admitted to hospital without a bed so far this week. This week was always going to be incredibly busy, but steps can be taken to ensure that we are not in a similar position next year,” the INMO said in a statement.
“The aim for 2026 must be more increasing bed capacity and ensuring that all beds are properly staffed, and ensuring that vacant posts are filled across emergency, medical and surgical departments. We know that there is less staff to deal with the growing demand in our health system and that it has a knock-on impact on both patient and staff safety. Unsafe staffing levels will continue to be a feature of winter surges unless we see targeted recruitment and retention plans in each hospital and community care area.”
“Our members want to be able to provide safe care to those who need it, this can only be done if capacity and staffing is increased.”
INMO call for action as Letterkenny & Sligo Hospitals two of the most overcrowded was last modified: January 11th, 2026 by Daniel Brennan
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