Almost 5,000 people have died in hospital emergency departments since 2019

Almost 5,000 people have died in hospital emergency departments in the Republic over the last five years.

A new report from the Irish Medical Times shows over 1,000 of those deaths happened last year alone, 200 more than in 2019.

The report also said the number of people presenting at emergency departments increased by 110,000 in that time.

Medical journalist Michael McHale told Newstalk radio that certain locations have suffered more than others, with the number of deaths rising starkly.

“In three hospitals, Beaumont Hospital, University Hospital Galway, Sligo University Hospital, they saw the number of deaths more than double in 2023 compared to 2019, so it is an issue that is affecting some hospitals more than others,” Mr McHale said.

Cork University Hospital saw the highest number of deaths in its emergency department, at 158 – up from 49 five years ago.

It was followed by St Vincent’s University Hospital with 479 deaths and St James’ Hospital with 344 deaths.