There are 551 people waiting on trolleys and on wards in hospitals across Ireland today.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives' Organisation Trolley and Ward (INMO) published their latest 'trolley and ward watch' figures, highlighting the amount of people waiting on beds across the country.

The hospital with the most amount of people waiting on trolleys is University Hospital Limerick, at 55. There are 46 people waiting on trolleys at Beaumont Hospital, and 45 in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.

A statement from the hospital said: 

"The Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick has seen an unexpected increase in patients presenting over the last 24 hours which has resulted in high numbers of patients waiting on trolleys and long delays for patients.

Amongst the factors contributing to the increase in pressure within the ED is the older age profile of patients presenting along with the complexity of issues they have.   The hospital has also has a small number of cases of the Norovirus (winter vomiting bug).

Non urgent, elective surgery scheduled for Tues 17th February has been cancelled at University Hospital Limerick.

Patients are being transferred from UHL to Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital and St John’s Hospital."

Patients have been asked to keep the emergency department clear for emergencies only.