500 people treated on hospital trolleys

THE number of patients treated on hospital trolleys yesterday was 500, which exceeds a level once referred to by Health Minister Mary Harney as a national emergency.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), which compiles the trolley figures, claimed Emergency Departments& have reached breaking point.

Dave Hughes, INMO deputy general secretary, called on the Government to take action before the situation worsens.