Massive jump in numbers of patients on trolleys in Navan Hospital
The number of patients on trolleys in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan dramatically rose from 5 on Tuesday to 31 today.
'Trolley Watch' figures released by the INMO also showed that in excess of 30 patients are on trolleys in Our Lady's of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
These were the local statistics contained in nationwide figures showing Irish hospitals has reached its highest ever number of patients waiting on beds just days into the new year - with that number expected to rise in the coming weeks.
According to Irish Nurses Midwives Organisation (INMO) figures a record 612 patients were admitted for care and left on trolleys in hospitals on Tuesday.
It is only the second time the count has breached the 600 mark, hitting 601 on January 6th, 2015.
On Thursday (today) lunchtime that figure had dropped to 578.
Health Minister Simon Harris is due to have talks with head of the HSE Tony O'Brien today, to discuss the latest figures concerning people on trolleys at hospitals around the country.
60 people are on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick today, according to figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), with more than 30 on trolleys at five other hospitals.
Transport Minister Shane Ross says he has been speaking to Minister Harris this morning, and says he expects his Cabinet colleague to 'kick ass' today when he meets the head of the HSE today.
Have you a story concerning waiting times on trolleys or chairs in our hospitals? Please email ann.casey@meathchronicle.ie or Tel: 0469079613.