429 on hospital trolleys
The crisis in emergency departments around the country appears to be getting worse.
The latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation shows that there are currently 429 patients waiting on trolleys and chairs in our A&E departments, awaiting admission.
University College Hospital in Galway is worst affected with 44 patients there waiting for a bed.
Meanwhile the head of the unit responsible for cutting A&E waiting times has said that he cannot guarantee any dramatic improvements this winter.
However Tony O'Brien - chief operating officer with the Department of Health's special delivery unit - saidnext year will see real improvements.
Minister for Health James Reilly has said he never again wants to see a situation where the record of 569 people are waiting on trolleys.
But speaking after a briefing with journalists this evening Mr O'Brien said it may be next winter before patients begin to see long term improvements.
"We are working on a number of measures which will be rolled out through 2012," he said.
"By the time we reach the 2012 winter season we will be looking at a completely different situation for Emergency Departments."
