Winter crisis looming due to 'extremely dangerous' overcrowding 

The INMO reported that 63 people were waiting for beds at CUH on Tuesday – the highest since the start of the pandemic. File picture: Dan Linehan

A winter crisis is looming in Irish hospitals unless urgent action is taken to address “out of control and extremely dangerous” overcrowding, health chiefs have been told.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) issued its blunt warning after overcrowding at Cork University Hospital (CUH) reached a pandemic peak of 63 patients on trolleys waiting for a bed.