Ireland drops eight places in international health ranking
Ireland dropped eight places on an international ranking of health services in the last year.
The country dropped from 14th to 22nd place last year, according to the Euro Health Consumer Index.
Researchers said it is because they are using waiting time information from patient groups, not official figures.
It comes as nurses at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar prepare to stage a lunchtime protest against Emergency Department overcrowding.
INMO Industrial Relations Officer Derek Reilly is urging Leo Varadkar to intervene directly.
"We need him to say that recruitment can take place immediately - that he cut out the red tape.
"This won't resolve the trolley crisis in the hospital, but it certainly would help alleviate the problem."
Reilly also said more beds should be made available in nearby hospitals in Mullingar and Longford.
