Over 8,100 patients were left waiting on hospital trolleys during the month of April - a 4% increase when compared with the same period last year, new figures have shown.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), a total of 8,145 patients were left waiting on trolleys last month, while over 35,750 waited on trolleys during the first four months of this year.

"The figures again confirm record levels of overcrowding in the first four months of this year compared to previous years. While the April figures would confirm that the ongoing increase is slowing, they still confirm a shocking picture of overcrowding on a daily basis in almost all of our Emergency Departments (EDs)," the INMO said.

Some of the worst hit hospitals last month included Beaumont Hospital (732 on trolleys), University Hospital Limerick (620) and University Hospital Galway (587). During the first four months of the year, Beaumont Hospital had the highest number of patients on trolleys (2,821).

The INMO insisted that this ongoing problem cannot be solved without a major increase in bed capacity, both acute and long-term.

The issue of overcrowding in the country's EDs is just one of a number of topics set to be debated at the INMO's annual delegate conference, which is taking place in Kerry this week.

"These latest statistics confirm that our health services continue to be too small to adequately and safely meet the demands being placed upon it. The INMO will continue, in the interests of our members and the patients they care for, to lead the campaign for additional beds, staff and services right across the healthcare system," commented INMO general secretary, Liam Doran.