Ambulance trolleys used in overcrowded A&E unit

OVERCROWDING at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin reached new levels yesterday when ambulance trolleys had to be used to accommodate patients in the A&E department.

The Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) and SIPTU, which represent nursing staff at the north city hospital, called for immediate action by the health authorities to address the chronic overcrowding situation.

Hospital sources claimed a number of ambulances were taken out of action yesterday morning because patients were forced to wait on ambulance stretchers due to a shortage of beds in the A&E unit.