587 patients waiting on beds in hospitals

There are 587 patients waiting on beds in hospitals, according to figures from the INMO's Trolley Watch.

There are 427 patients waiting in the emergency department, while 160 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

The number is up on Monday's figure,

Read More:

The worst-hit hospitals today are:

• University Hospital Limerick - 59
• Cork University Hospital - 56
• University Hospital Galway - 53

The figures come as the HSE and INMO

Read More:

The president of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine, Dr Emily O’Connor is calling on the HSE and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) to “reach a solution in a sustainable fashion.”

The HSE is expected to announce contingency plans later today ahead of the work stoppage.