Sixteen people waiting on trolleys at Cavan General

Trolley figures at local hospital remain the same as yesterday.

The number of people on trolleys at Cavan General Hospital today is sixteen, which is the same figure as yesterday.

The figures were reported this morning by nurses as part of the daily trolley watch count from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

The figure has doubled since this day last week, when there was eight people on trolleys in the local hospital.

Nationally 681 patients are being treated on trolleys, chairs and in other inappropriate bed spaces according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Commenting on today’s trolley figures, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the number of patients being treated on trolleys and in other "inappropriate" bed spaces is "out of control."

Since the beginning of January, there has been an average of 631 patients admitted to hospital without a bed each day.

"Without immediate action, this growing strain will drive more staff to leave, a crisis the healthcare system cannot withstand,” the INMO General Secretary stated.