Hundreds of patients still being left waiting on trolleys

Hundreds of patients are still being left waiting on trolleys at hospitals around the country, despite government measures introduced two years ago in an effort to tackle the problem.

The latest figures show that around 200 patients were on trolleys in A&E units every day this month, compared to an average of around 160 last year.

In Dublin, the situation is worst at Beaumont Hospital, followed by St Vincent’s Hospital and the Mater.

Outside of the capital, Wexford General Hospital had the highest number of patients waiting for a bed.

Fine Gael health spokesperson James Reilly says the figures show the problem is getting worse, despite 10 years of an unprecedented economic boom.