The Emergency Department Task Force has met in Dublin to review the nationwide problem of hospital overcrowding.
It discussed the opening of around 455 beds – 301 new and 154 beds which were closed.
The beds are due to be opened this month and in December, however these projections are subject to staffing.
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar attended today’s meeting.
It is reported that there are 309 patients on trolleys in emergency departments or on wards today, waiting for admission to a bed.
The hospital worst affected is University Hospital Limerick, with 28 patients waiting, while other hospitals with a large number waiting are
Beaumont with 27, Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda with 24 and St Vincent’s University Hospital with 23.