37 patients on trolleys in Portiuncula this morning

Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe is under severe pressure today according to the INMO.

37 patients were waiting for beds in the hospital this morning with 25 waiting in wards, and 12 in the emergency department. This is over double the figure of last year, where 15 were waiting on trolleys. Meanwhile Sligo University Hospital is also busy, with 26 waiting on a bed in the Emergency Department and 12 in wards elsewhere

Local Senator Aisling Dolan says it's vital that the full 50 bed expansion is available to help Portiuncula cope with the additional pressure.