Dramatic drop in trolley figures at mullingar hospital today

The number of people on trolleys in Mullingar hospital fell dramatically last night, going from 30 yesterday to 18 today, Wednesday January 7.

Since Saturday the HSE had been warning people to stay away from the Emergency Department (ED) unless absolutely necessary.

On Monday, Derek Reilly of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said it was the worst Christmas Mullingar Hospital had due to chronic understaffing.

"The nurses and midwives simply can't cope. The entire hospital is overcrowded and chronically understaffed."

A lunchtime protest is planned by nurses for Tuesday January 27.