The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has warned of bed shortages for the coming winter amid increased overcrowding in Irish hospitals.

According to the INMO, 7,832 patients were left to wait on trolleys or in corridors in the month of July. So far this year 72,000 patients have gone without a bed, representing a 10% increase on the same period in 2022.

Phil Ni Sheaghdha, general secretary of the INMO, said this was "a red flag for the autumn and winter ahead".

This is a bleak sign heading into the winter months. It has been reported that the cabinet has signed off on a year-round plan for the HSE. The INMO will now be seeking details of the staff support measures that pplan contains."

The top five most overcrowded hospitals in July were:

• University Hospital Limerick - 1,824
• Sligo University Hospital - 615
• St Vincent's University Hospital - 592
• Cork University Hospital - 591
• Galway University Hospital - 541.