Levels of overcrowding and staff shortages at Naas General Hospital are the ‘worst in the hospital's history', nurses and midwives have claimed.

They are planning to hold a protest next week in an effort to highlight these and other problems at the hospital.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), its trolley watch figures show a big jump in the number of patients left waiting on trolleys in the hospital's Emergency Department (ED).

The figures show that in October 2013, 187 people were left waiting on trolleys in the ED. In October of this year, this figure had risen to 320 - a jump of 71%.

Between January and October of this year, the number of people waiting on trolleys in the ED rose every month except for January, when compared to the same time last year.

The biggest jump was seen in August of this year, when 230 people were left on trolleys. This compares with 40 people waiting on trolleys during August of 2013 - a 475% increase.

As well as being cared for on trolleys, 2014 marked the first year when patients were cared for on trolleys in corridors, the INMO said.

It also wants to highlight staffing shortages throughout the hospital and inadequate bed capacity.

"INMO members 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 at Naas General are now the worst in the hospital's history. The rise in overcrowding is unprecedented and the HSE has no plan in place whatsoever to deal with this crisis," commented INMO industrial relations officer, Derek Reilly.

He added that staff are now very concerned about the winter months ahead as this is traditionally a busier time for hospitals.

The protest will take place at the gates of the hospital on Monday, November 10, from 1pm to 2.30pm.