The current overcrowding crisis at the nations hospitals is showing no signs for slowing down as waiting lists reached a record high this afternoon.
According to the Irish Midwife and Nurses Organisation (INMO) there were 677 people waiting on trolleys at hospitals all across the country.
The latest figures which marks a rise of 21 people since Tuesday will come as a blow to the Department of Health and the HSE who are already stretched for resources whilst getting to contain the situation.
One of the worst affected hospitals this afternoon is that of St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny which currently has 54 people waiting on a bed.
Meanwhile Cork’s University Hospital was second in the list.
It is thought the recent surge in patients attending A&E Departments across the country comes after the recent outbreak of the so called ‘Aussie Flu’ which has already been linked to a number of deaths in Ireland this winter.