Health
Emergency Department Visits Surge to Over 788,000 in 2025

Emergency department (ED) visits in the first half of 2025 reached over 788,000, marking a significant increase of more than 16,000 compared to the same period in 2024. This surge is also an increase of approximately 86,000 when compared to figures from 2023. According to provisional data from the Health Service Executive (HSE), attendances rose by 12.3 percent from January to June this year, indicating a continued demand for emergency care services.
Among the notable demographics, individuals aged 75 and older accounted for 116,884 visits to EDs in this timeframe, representing an increase of 19,546 visits or 20.1 percent compared to the first half of 2023. While the figures indicate a rise, it is worth noting that the increase is modest when juxtaposed with last year’s data. In comparison to the first half of 2024, this year’s admissions have only risen by 2.1 percent, suggesting a potential stabilization in the high volume of patients seen in EDs since pandemic restrictions were lifted.
Patient Admissions and Hospital Performance
The increased attendance led to clinicians admitting 203,937 patients for further care, which yields an average conversion rate of 25.9 percent for attending patients. The hospital with the highest number of ED visits was University Hospital Limerick (UHL), recording 46,140 attendances, a nine percent increase from the previous year. Following closely, Dublin’s Mater Hospital had 43,293 visits, reflecting a six percent rise, while Cork University Hospital (CUH) reported 42,982 visits, a decrease of one percent.
In terms of patient admissions, UHL again led with 14,342 admissions, resulting in a conversion rate of 31.1 percent. CUH followed with 12,570 admissions and a conversion rate of 29.2 percent, while the Mater recorded 11,725 admissions at a rate of 27.1 percent. Notably, conversion rates exhibited considerable variability across different clinical sites, ranging from 36.5 percent at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny to just 7.9 percent at the Tallaght campus of Children’s Health Ireland. Among adult hospitals, Navan had the lowest conversion rate at 17.3 percent.
Future Plans and Initiatives
These statistics were detailed in the latest weekly HSE Urgent and Emergency Care Performance Update, covering the period up to June 29, 2025. In response to the increasing demand for emergency services, the HSE has outlined strategies in its corporate plan for 2025-2027 aimed at reducing waiting times in EDs, particularly for patients at the highest risk.
The plan includes the expansion of initiatives such as ‘virtual wards’ across the country, initially launched at UHL and St Vincent’s Hospital. These virtual wards utilize remote monitoring technology to provide acute care to patients who would typically require a hospital stay, potentially alleviating pressure on EDs.
As health officials continue to address the growing numbers, the focus remains on improving patient care and enhancing the efficiency of emergency services amid ongoing challenges in the healthcare landscape.
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