Nursing unions are warning that hospitals are already experiencing the pre-Christmas surge in the numbers being admitted without a bed
The INMO's Trolley Watch figures show that Cork University Hospital is once again the second most overcrowded hospital in the country with 77 on trolleys there
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says patient safety is directly linked to safe staffing levels and their members and patients deserve better
Speaking to RedFM News Colm Porter of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says the high levels of overcrowding are an indicator of the difficult weeks ahead
"This is a real indicator that patients and the staff nurses and midwives who are caring for them are in for some difficult weeks ahead. The thing with our members is that they do feel like this is Groundhog day again. We see this every year, our members are expected to do more in increasingly, over overcrowded situations".
