The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) have reported a further increase in hospital overcrowding, with 824 patients still waiting for a hospital bed.
This is an increase from 777 patients who were reportedly waiting for a hospital bed yesterday, as the waiting list continues to rise following the Bank Holiday weekend.
The INMO have revealed that the worst affected areas include the University Hospital in Limerick with 97 patients, Cork University Hospital at 81 patients, while there are 85 patients currently waiting for a hospital bed at St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin.
These numbers are the highest recorded on any single day by the union.
The INMO include those place in emergency departments, on wards, chairs or corridors, or elsewhere in hospitals.
Meanwhile, the HSE figures puts today's figures at 599 patients waiting for a bed. These figures include patients who are currently on a hospital trolley or an extra bed placed in an inappropriate space in a hospital ward.
Explaining these figures, the INMO have said that this current situation requires an immediate response from the HSE, including halting all elective activity in acute hospitals, with private hospital capacity purchased in order to accommodate this type of work.
Speaking about this in a statement, INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghda said that "the current situation is dangerous and requires immediate action".
"The INMO has written to the HSE seeking immediate engagement on the significant curtailment of services required to align hospital activity with the nurses and midwives available on each roster to deliver safe care", she said.
"The HSE and Department of Health must be honest with the public about the dire situation facing the majority of our emergency departments. Patient safety must come first, and that means taking decisive action now to address overcrowding.
"This situation is being compounded by recruitment restrictions, with at least four HSE regions now unable to recruit without sign-off from the Department of Health. This is an extremely delayed process that creates significant risks for frontline patient care and staff safety".
Ms Ní Sheaghda said that the INMO have also written to the HSE, seeking "immediate engagement on the significant curtailment of services required to align hospital activity with the nurses and midwives available on each roster to deliver safe care". (Quotes according to RTÉ).
