Dozens of children wait for beds at overcrowded Irish hospitals today (Dec 6)

Over 600 admitted patients are waiting for beds at overcrowded Irish hospitals today (December 6). 

According to the daily Trolley Watch report from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), 634 people are waiting for beds this morning, 36 of whom are under the age of 16. 

It's a significant rise compared to the same day in 2021 when 436 people were waiting for beds. 

A total of 560 admitted patients waited for beds at Irish hospitals at the same time in November this year, with 472 in October, 451 in September, and 397 in August. 

Just two people are currently waiting for beds at University Hospital Waterford, with one person waiting at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore and four at Midland Regional Hospital Ennis. 

University Hospital Limerick is experiencing the worst overcrowding of any hospital in Ireland this morning with 93 people waiting for beds, followed by Cork University Hospital where 74 people are waiting. 

Just three hospitals are free from overcrowding, including Beaumont Hospital, Bantry General Hospital and Nenagh General Hospital. 

Seven children are waiting for beds at National Children's Hospital Tallaght, with 21 waiting at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin and eight in Temple Street. 

Just four children nationwide waited for beds at children's hospitals on the same day last year.