Portlaoise hospital A&E packed with trollies this week

Portlaoise hospital's Emergency Department (A&E/ED) has experienced a very busy few days with nearly 60 patients having to be deployed, according to the latest trolley figures from nurses.

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) figures show the hospital's trolley figures have been in double figures on March 25, 26, 27.

There were 17 patients on trolleys on Wednesday at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. This was down from Tuesday when 23 patients waited for beds. Monday was also busy with the staff left with no alternative but to ask 19 people to wait.

All patients had to wait in the A&E. The people involved were diagnosed with illnesses or injuries deemed serious enough to require admission for further care.

Portlaoise is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group which also includes Tullamore, Naas, Tallaght and St James' acute hospitals.

A staggering 617 admitted patients are waiting for beds on Tuesday morning according to the daily INMO figures.