A severe shortage of nurses is making overcrowding at Letterkenny University Hospital worse.
That’s according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives north west representative.
Yesterday the numbers waiting for beds at the hospital reached a high of 45 people.
Today there are 24 people waiting for a bed in the hospital with a further nine on trolleys in Sligo University hospital.
Fewer nurses available means hospitals find it hard to open extra areas as the staff is not available even through overtime and agencies.
The full capacity protocol has been in place at Letterkenny over the past few days and elective surgery procedures have been postponed.
Currently the INMO are balloting members nationwide in protest at the current working environment and the failure of management to recruit or retain staff.
Maura Hickey told Ocean FM nurses have spoken with their feet.
