Limerick, Cork and Galway were the most overcrowded hospitals in the country this month, new figures show.

In total, 9,191 people were left on trolleys due to bed shortages, including 95 children under 16 years of age.

Figures released today by The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show St. Vincent's in Dublin, as well as Sligo University Hospital also in the top five most overcrowded hospitals in the month of July.

Director of Professional Services with the INMO Tony Fitzpatrick told Newstalk that the Government needs to take action as nurses are struggling.

"We need the government to have a clear hospital-by-hospital plan to alleviate the problem."

"Extremely unsafe circumstances"

"It's not fair on patients or staff for them to shoulder the burden of failed policy, inadequate action on the part of government."

In a press release, Fitzpatrick said that lack of action will see "nurses and patients in extremely unsafe circumstances".

He also said that children on trolleys "should absolutely not be tolerated".

'Twindemic'

The INMO warns of the tole a flu and coronavirus 'twindemic' could have on the healthcare system come Winter.

“We need to heed the warnings from our colleagues in Australia when it comes to mitigating the impact of both flu and COVID in Irish hospitals over the coming months", Fitspatrick said.

"We cannot afford to have a COVID and flu ‘twindemic’ in Irish hospitals this winter."

“Nurses and other healthcare staff cannot be expected to sustain this type of pressure right into the winter."

Image: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo