100% increase in hospital overcrowding since 2008

Nurses have said there has been a 100% increase in overcrowding in our hospitals since 2008.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation recorded just over 9,300 patients on trolleys last month, waiting for treatment.

This is the highest level of trolley overcrowding recorded for the month of March.

They have said despite all the plans to date, the service continues to face intolerable levels of overcrowding.

Nurses have said this is due to a continuing lack of beds and staff right across the system - which continues to compromise patient care.