A 70 year old woman who spent over two days on a chair at Cork University Hospital has accused the government of doing nothing to solve the overcrowding crisis.
Patricia McCarthy from Blarney says she was admitted to the Emergency Department on New Years Day and spent 57 hours being treated in a chair before getting a bed in a ward.
Patricia praised staff at the hospital and has called for a public inquiry into the hospital overcrowding crisis.
Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's RedFM, Patricia says the system needs more investment:
statement"I want a public enquiry, We have legislation from the EU, we're well able to use it.
"I want an independent person to come to the EU from the department to come and speak to me.
"Our politicians have done nothing. They know what's going on.
"Pay your doctors, pay your staff. Put your money into the poor plebs that are going in there, the likes of me."
In a statement to RedFM News, CUH say the hospital is currently operating at maximum capacity due to very high levels of demand.
The demand is leading to long delays for some patients, however the hospital says urgent patients will always be prioritised for treatment.
The statement goes on to advise people to consider all available options before presenting at the hospital.
Cork TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire says the case of Patricia McCarthy and others like her is "very worrying".
Speaking to RedFM News, the Sinn Féin TD says Cork hospitals need urgent intervention from the Government.
"I'm urging the three Cork ministers to put pressure on Stephen Donnelly, who's clearly not delivering for the CUH or the Mercy, to intervene.
"Despite the best efforts of nurses and staff on the ground, it's very clear that the situation is very severe and for Stephen Donnelly there are actions that can be taken and he needs to intervene urgently."
