Number of patients left on trolleys almost doubles in four days
There has been a major spike in the number of people on trolleys in the country's hospitals.
Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show there are 467 people on trollies in wards and emergency departments, almost double the number from four days ago.
The HSE is blaming the increase on the traditional surge after the Christmas and New Year holidays, and a high number of frail, elderly people needing care.
But the INMO's Liam Doran says the system should have been ready for a predictable increase in patients.
