There are 563 patients around the country in hospital Emergency Departments or on wards waiting for admission to a bed.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives' Organisation says its a new record - the highest since they started recording the numbers 10 yrs ago
Overcrowding at the Emergency Department of the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar is the worst with 28 people on trolleys waiting for a bed. The Health Service Executive is advising patients to avoid the hospital.
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda has 50 people on trolleys waiting for a bed.
The total number has jumped from 563 today from 259 people on trolleys on Friday.
Liam Doran of the INMO spoke to Jonathan Healy on Lunchtime today about the issue who stated that today is a bad day for the health service.
"Their care is being compromised. He continued: "We've reached a new low today."
In relation to the Drogheda hospital situation, Mr Doran stated: "horrendous, horrific, unforgivable, unforgettable, all those words come out."
"If these people lived in better parts and had more resources, you wouldn't have this happening to them."
"This is a direct result of flawed planning five years ago, six years ago. We're on record as saying it's utter madness to suggest this country can live on a reduced number of acute beds."
