Over 7,300 patients were left waiting on trolleys and chairs in hospitals nationwide in June - a 7% increase on the same period last year.

According to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), 7392 admitted patients, including 55 children, were ‘forced to wait without hospital beds' last month.

The worse affected hospitals were Cork University Hospital (834), University Hospital Limerick (833) and University Hospital Galway (546).

The worst affected hospital in Dublin was Tallaght University Hospital (496), while the worst affected children's hospital was Temple Street Children's University Hospital (32).

Last month's figures represent a 7% increase when compared to June 2018, and a 102% increase when compared to June 2006, when the INMO began compiling these figures.

According to INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, while summer used to be considered a quieter time for the health service, there is now ‘no longer a summer respite when it comes to overcrowding'.

"Summer 2019 is as bad as winter was five years ago. Understaffing is driving year-round unsafe conditions. The Government and HSE need to get a handle on this problem. Without serious investment and reform, this problem will continue to spiral, with patients and frontline staff paying the price," she commented.