The INMO has warned that we are facing into a "disastrous" winter in Irish hospitals with overcrowding already at "extremely high" levels.
There are 583 patients waiting for a bed in hospitals around the country this morning.
That's the highest number recorded since 631 patients were left waiting in April.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha says the HSE must fill nursing roles "as a matter of urgency" before the winter kicks in.
“These figures are extremely high and it’s only September," she said.
"The outlook for the winter is disastrous unless staffing issues are addressed.
"The recruitment ban simply has to go, and vacancies must be filled as a matter of urgency.”
583 patients waiting for beds in Irish hospitals this morning with *more than 40 patients on trolleys* in *3* hospitals:
UH #Limerick – 56 people
UH #Galway - 41 people#Cork UH – 40 people
See the full data at https://t.co/QpFoi5Y62G pic.twitter.com/2He8iod4KL— Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) September 17, 2019
The HSE says the recruitment ban is necessary to prevent further health overspends.
The nursing organisation said there were said 433 patients waiting in Emergency Departments this morning, with 150 in other wards.
University Hospital Limerick was the hardest hit this morning with 56 patients waiting.
Meanwhile, there were 41 patients waiting in University Hospital Galway and 40 at Cork University Hospital.
There were 38 in the Mater Hospital and the same in Sligo University Hospital, with 36 in Waterford and 29 at St Vincent's.
