The Irish Nurses and Midwives' Organisation has said today that there are 52 patients waiting for a hospital bed at University Hospital Galway.

To  add to the overcrowding, there are a further 25 patients in the department who have been waiting up to 8 hours to be assessed by an emergency department doctor due to the lack of cubicles to examine them.

According to the IMNO, trolleys are backed up on both sides of the corridor around the department which makes access, privacy and dignity impossible.  There are 4 nurses to look after 38 admitted patients in the emergency department.

Speaking today, Anne Burke, INMO Industrial Relations Officer, said:“Access to and egress from the department is completely compromised.  There is no room to physically assess any more  ED patients who may turn up at the hospital

Meanwhile, there is a 75 bedded single occupancy Unit  ready to go at the hospital but no funding has been approved  by the HSE to staff this area.

Galway ED in Crisis - 52 patients awaiting beds - No room to see new patients - Less than 20 to be discharged today https://t.co/HWzqItNUew

— INMO_IRL (@INMO_IRL) November 9, 2016

“The INMO understands that the Taoiseach is visiting Galway city tomorrow and extends an invitation to Mr Kenny to visit the ED Department and do a walkabout in the hospital to see, first-hand, the conditions both nurses and patients are experiencing,” she added.

Yesterday the INMO announced they would be balloting their members for industrial action.