A new report by HIQA has found Ireland's health system is under 'unprecedented strain'.
Inspections of seven Emergency Departments found the number of patients presenting to EDs is significantly higher than in previous years.
The Health Information and Quality Authority carried out inspections of the Emergency Departments at Sligo University Hospital, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital, and St. Michael’s Hospital in Dublin over two days in August and September.
Responding to the report, HIQA's Director of Healthcare, Sean Egan says the inspections continue to highlight overcrowding in Emergency Departments, which compromises the dignity and respect of patients and poses a risk to their health and safety.
The health watchdog HIQA says more hospitals need to be urgently built in order to provide additional capacity for both acute and community care.
HIQA is also recommending a more effective approach to workforce planning to better anticipate and manage staff shortages, as well as more responsive leadership, governance and management arrangements.
It comes as the latest figures show 638 people were waiting for beds in hospitals across the country this morning.
515 patients were waiting in emergency departments, while 123 were in wards elsewhere in the hospital.
According to today's INMO Trolley Watch, University Hospital Limerick has the highest number of patients waiting, at 75.
