No let up in overcrowding at Mayo hospital

Over 700 patients are on hospital trolleys today according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

The figure includes 29 at Mayo University Hospital.

A total of 2,108 patients have been left without hospital beds nationally since last Tuesday.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “It is very concerning that we are heading into the latter half of the week with 700 patients on trolleys.

“Overcrowding is not just restricted to a handful of large hospitals, we are seeing patients on trolleys and an over reliance on surge capacity in nearly each acute hospital.

"Each hospital is now over 100% capacity, well over the recommended 85% occupancy rate.

“Statutory bodies such as HIQA and the Health and Safety Authority need to urgently get on the pitch.

"Patient and staff safety is at serious risk in conditions like this.”