The flu death toll so far this winter is 24, according to latest figures from the HSE.

There were almost twice the number of patients on trolleys last month than in March 2008, according to figures provided by the country’s largest nursing union.

There has been a reduction in the number of patients on trolleys awaiting a hospital bed, even with more people attending emergency departments, according to the HSE.

A new peace deal accepted by nurses in hospital emergency departments will see planned surgery being cancelled earlier and more often, it has emerged.