Nurses at University Hospital Galway are to hold a protest on Wednesday in an attempt to highlight overcrowding in the hospital's Emergency Department (ED).

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), patients are being ‘deprived of care with dignity' and there is inadequate bed capacity in the hospital to cope with current patient levels.

"Assessment and waiting times for patients continues to increase and nurses are unable to provide care to patients in a timely manner, and are well outside the agreed, internationally accepted protocols and timelines," the organisation insisted.

It pointed out that the hospital caters for a population of 700,000 people and the ED is ‘simply too small to deal with such a large geographical region'.

It said that the dignity of patients is being compromised, with care often provided in crowded areas and on corridors. In some cases, this even involves end of life care.

According to INMO industrial relations officer, Clare Treacy, nurses are ‘gravely concerned for the wellbeing of patients who have to suffer the indignity of being nursed on a corridor for days at a time'.

"The levels of overcrowding and staff shortages are impinging on their ability to provide safe quality care to patients. This overcrowding in the month of September is unprecedented and can only get worse as we enter the winter months. This is further compounded by hospital plans to temporarily close beds for refurbishment and building construction," she commented.

She said that many nurses are now experiencing frustration and burnout as a result of the situation.

"This is a problem that may affect any member of the public, and their families, who require hospital care. We would ask patients and the public to support the protest," Ms Treacy added.

The protest will take place on Wednesday, September 17, from 1-2pm at the University Road entrance to the hospital.