318 patients are denied a bed in Ireland’s hospitals

MORE than 300 patients have been denied a hospital bed, it was revealed yesterday.

Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation showed 318 people were refused a place on the ward with 201 waiting in A&E. The worst-affected hospitals were Cork University Hospital, University Hospital Limerick and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

The latest figures were released just days after an EU report found Ireland experienced the worst healthcare equality.

Its findings revealed hospitals experiencing a drastic two-tier system that caters best for those with private insurance while publicly-funded patients endure the worst level of care.