Some 534 patients were waiting on trolleys in hospitals nationwide on Monday morning (December 13) - the highest trolley figure since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), the worst affected hospitals were University Hospital Limerick (79 on trolleys), Letterkenny University Hospital (61) and Sligo University Hospital (46).

There were also 13 children waiting on trolleys in Crumlin and Temple Street.

With Christmas just around the corner, the figures were described as a “real nightmare” by INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha.

“We need to see urgent mitigation measures from individual hospitals and the HSE to tackle the number of people on trolleys. The warning signs that trolleys would go to over 500 once again have been very obvious. This is a predictable event,” she commented.

She pointed out that overcrowded hospitals “reduce the ability to deliver safe care”.

“With this pandemic, it is even more important that the HSE take all necessary steps to avoid the overcrowded wards and emergency departments becoming the source of infection. We are once again calling for a fully-funded workforce plan and adequate health and safety measures, including enhanced ventilation in our hospitals,” Ms Ní Sheaghdha said.

She also called on the HSE to fully utilise private hospitals.

"The public service is under too much pressure to be expected to shoulder the entire burden of the pandemic alongside rising numbers of patients presenting at emergency departments.

“Our members are mentally and physically exhausted. They cannot head into yet another pandemic winter with trolley numbers out of control,” she added.