Clare FM

The INMO's Midwest Representative has described the high levels of overcrowding at the region's main hospital in Mid-July as disappointing and extremely alarming ahead of the winter months. Analysis from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation revealed there were 97 admitted patients waiting for beds during morning rounds yesterday, and while that number has dropped to 76 today, University Hospital Limerick remains by far the busiest in the country today. Construction is underway on the first of two 96-bed units, with the second promised to be completed by 2027, but Mary Fogarty believes current high volumes of patient attendences, coupled with nursing deficits, is leading to questions over whether the additional bed capacity will make any difference. She's been telling Clare FM's Fiona Cahill that questions remain over plans in place to deal with both overcrowding and the recruitment and retention of nurses.