Overcrowding easing somewhat in Mullingar hospital today

There are 9 patients waiting on a bed in Mullingar Hospital today, Wednesday, down 11 on yesterday's figures.

That’s according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) who say 15 are on trolleys in Tullamore Hospital, and 7 in Portlaoise.

Nationally, the INMO Trolley Watch figures show 285 admitted patients waiting for beds across the country today.

Of those, 229 are waiting in the emergency department, while 56 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

Five of the patients on trolley are under the age of 16.

The highest number anywhere in the country is University Hospital Limerick, where there are 62 people waiting on trolleys.