Call for increased budget and capital allocations for Sligo amid escalating demand on health services

A motion before a May meeting of Sligo County Council sought urgent increased budgetary and capital allocations for Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal to expand nurse and midwife led services across acute and community settings. Latest figures reported 903 patients on trolleys in Sligo University Hospital in April, up by 373 compared with April 2025 levels outside the winter surge. While initiatives such as ICPOP have reduced hospital admissions, scaling is required alongside enhanced home care hours, additional residential capacity, and workforce investment. A 42-bed unit approved seven years ago remains long-awaited, and forward planning is emphasized, including further acute bed capacity, to address an ageing demographic and rising hospital admissions among people over 75.

"Cllr Edel McSharry's motion called on the Ministers to "Urgently provide increased budgetary and capital allocations to the north west, specifically Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal to expand nurse and midwife led services across acute and community settings in response to escalating demand.""

"Latest figures show 903 patients on trolleys in Sligo University Hospital in April alone, an increase of 373 on April 2025 levels, outside the winter surge, highlighting sustained system pressure."

"While initiatives such as ICPOP have demonstrated impact in reducing hospital admissions, they require significant scaling alongside enhanced home care hours, additional residential capacity and workforce investment."

"Notwithstanding the long-awaited 42-bed unit approved seven years ago, this Council emphasises the urgent need for forward planning, including further acute bed capacity, to meet the region's ageing demographic, where over 65s account for 16% of the population compared to 7% in Dublin and the associated 19% rise in hospital admissions among those aged over 75."

Read at Irish Independent