Updated: 2.50pm

The number of patients on hospital trolleys has reached its highest point since the beginning of of the pandemic, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. 

A total of 506 admitted patients were waiting for beds this morning, according to the union’s figures.

393 patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 113 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

The largest number was recorded in University Hospital Limerick, where there are 91 patients on trolleys – the highest daily figure for any hospital since the start of the pandemic.

Letterkenny University Hospital had 57 patients on trolleys this morning, with 21 within the emergency department and 36 on wards elsewhere.

 The worst-affected hospitals include:

• University Hospital Limerick: 54
• Letterkenny University Hospital: 57
• Cork University Hospital: 46
• University Hospital Galway: 29
• Mercy University Hospital, Cork: 28
• St James’ Hospital, Dublin: 27

There have previously been warnings from the union that overcrowding while Covid-19 remains present in hospitals is particulaly dangerous for staff and patients. 

According to the INMO, it records patients who may also be on chairs, in waiting rooms, or “simply wherever there’s space” in the hospital that morning. 

INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said staff and patients are being put “at risk” by the the rising trolley numbers. 

“An INMO survey last week showed that over 90% of nurses and midwives are facing burnout. We have a workforce that is completely exhausted and today’s figures indicate that it is only going to get worse if overcrowding is allowed to escalate over the coming months.

She added: “The situation that existed in early 2020 is upon us again albeit for different reasons, and the same measures must be taken- curtailment of services and assistance from the private hospitals- an exhausted workforce cannot be asked to do the impossible.

“Following on from today’s Budget we must see a concrete plan for keeping patients and staff in our hospital safe over the winter months.”