Almost 60 patients were waiting for inpatient beds in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda this morning (March 11), resulting in ‘inhumane conditions' for both them and staff, nurses have claimed.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), the hospital needs to go off call for at least 24 hours to cope with this situation.

It said that the ‘equivalent of two full wards are waiting for admission in the ED (emergency department)'.

"The situation is extremely dangerous for patients and staff and the INMO is calling for the hospital to be taken off call immediately. Staff are deeply distressed at the level of overcrowding, especially as trolleys are now overflowing to the adjoining corridors," said INMO industrial relations officer, Tony Fitzpatrick.

He added that an ‘urgent review' of bed capacity within the Louth/Meath area, and the availability of beds in the community, is needed.