Nurses report ‘complete lack of privacy and dignity’ for patients due to overcrowding

The Irish Nurses and Midwives’ Organisation (INMO) has released the results of its first ‘Behind the Trolley Numbers’ survey, which highlights a range of safety and other concerns.

The survey was completed by nurses in acute hospitals across Ireland to evaluate their experiences of treating patients on trolleys, in hospital corridors, and other inappropriate areas. The survey was targeted at nurses in emergency departments and those working in hospital wards where patients are regularly being treated without an appropriate bed.

According to the findings, 84 per cent of respondents have cared for patients in inappropriate settings that included emergency department corridors, waiting rooms, ward porches, treatment rooms, and other inappropriate areas within the last year.

A total of 85 per cent of these nurses believe that patient care and safety were compromised in these settings, while 72 per cent observed patient safety incidents directly related to these inappropriate care settings, such as falls and medication/treatment delays. The findings also emphasised that patients endured a complete lack of privacy and dignity while receiving care in these areas.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The feeling among our members is that patients are being treated as mere numbers despite the objections raised by those working on the frontline. Many of our members are now afraid that they will be punished if they report unsafe conditions to management, creating a culture of silence. Ultimately, nurses feel let down by management in many locations who are doing very little to address workload and safety concerns.”

The survey was carried out during January 2025, a period when more than 6,395 patients were admitted to hospital without a bed. The vast majority of nurses said that increasing bed capacity (83 per cent) and recruiting more nursing staff (80 per cent) were key to addressing the issue of hospital overcrowding. Other key findings from the survey include:

• 64 per cent of respondents said that delivering care in inappropriate settings was a daily occurrence;
• 22 per cent said that providing care in these settings occurred weekly;
• 74 per cent believe that providing care in inappropriate settings significantly worsens patient care quality;
• Patients often remain in these areas for more than 12 hours, according to 71 per cent;
• The workload has significantly increased for 88 per cent of respondents due to providing care in these settings;
• Stress levels have also significantly increased for almost 90 per cent of respondents.

Ms Ní Sheaghdha added: “INMO members are reporting that there are huge ethical concerns with the constant placing of patients in inappropriate settings such as window bays and waiting rooms. Many patients do not have access to call bells, oxygen points, or suction, appropriate toilet facilities, proper beds, hoists, or pressure-relieving mattresses. Patients with infectious diseases, dementia, or mental health conditions are being placed in inappropriate settings, increasing risks for both staff and other patients.

“Nurses on the frontline are crying out for support, and they feel ignored. Instead of additional staff, they are being faced with recruitment embargoes and needless administrative obstacles to increasing staffing. Through this survey, our members are reporting that they are experiencing high levels of exhaustion and demoralisation, leading to burnout and potential errors.

“The new Government has an opportunity to turn this situation around with a radical plan to staff hospitals, introduce plans to retain existing staff, and increase capacity across acute and community services over the coming year, including the fast-tracking of elective-only hospitals. Anything short of this will continue to put lives in danger.”

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