Overcrowding in hospitals across the country is “out of control”, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Association has said. 

Yesterday, the HSE said the number of people on trolleys in Emergency Departments across the country had increased by 30% compared to the same day last year.

Officials say the current situation is as a result of increased ED attendances by patients - many of whom are older and frailer - and high numbers of people contracting respiratory illnesses.

The Mater Hospital in Dublin. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

The St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend is always one of the busiest times of year for hospitals and the HSE is encouraging the public to attend only in an emergency.

Recently released figure to Newstalk revealed 115,165 people left emergency departments without completing their treatment last year - many because of the long waits involved.

Main image: An Emergency Department. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie