Almost 87,000 patients were left waiting on trolleys around the country during the first 11 months of this year, figures have shown.

According to the figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), 86,864 patients were left waiting on trolleys between January and November of this year - a jump of 24% when compared with the same period last year.

The worst affected hospital was Dublin's Beaumont, where more than 7,700 admitted patients were left waiting on trolleys for an inpatient bed in Emergency Departments (EDs) or wards that were already full.

Last month alone, 7,407 patients were left waiting on trolleys nationwide - an increase of 4% when compared to the same period last year and a 49% increase when compared to November 2013.

The worst affected hospitals were Dublin's Beaumont Hospital (586), Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda (578) and University Hospital Limerick (542).

According to INMO general secretary, Liam Doran, these figures ‘confirm yet again the extent of the crisis arising from overcrowding in EDs across the country'.

This is why 92% of ED nurses recently voted in favour of industrial action, including strike action, he insisted.

Talks aimed at averting this industrial action, which is due to begin on December 15, are currently taking place between the INMO, the HSE and Department of Health officials. The talks are being chaired by the Workplace Relations Commission.