Ireland's 29 emergency departments will each be given individual plans by the HSE, to prepare them for the winter months.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is bringing the overall Winter Plan to Cabinet today, that'll cost in the region of €168 million.
It'll see an additional 600 healthcare staff hired, including 51 emergency department consultants.
The move comes as the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation in Cork say nurses are facing into extremely challenging and dangerous work environments this Winter.
The union is calling for all private beds in the country to be used, to avoid pressure mounting on staff in public hospitals.
His comments come as 99 patients are being treated on trolleys at Cork's two emergency hospitals today.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says the Winter Plan will see the adoption of a 'hands-on' approach.
