The number of patients left waiting on trolleys in hospitals nationwide has again reached record levels, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has said.

According to its latest ‘Trolley Watch' figures, there were 8,154 patients left waiting on trolleys last month compared to 6,627 during May of last year - this marks an increase of 23%.

Ten years ago, there were 4,051 patients on trolleys during the month of May. This year's May figure was 101% higher.

The hospitals with the worst figures last month included University Hospital Galway (671 on trolleys), University Hospital Limerick (627), the Mater Hospital in Dublin (533) and Letterkenny General Hospital (507).

The INMO said that these figures are particularly disappointing as there was a small decline in those waiting on trolleys during April.

According to INMO general secretary, Liam Doran, the figures ‘confirm yet again that our health service remains far too small to cater for demand'. He said this problem is exacerbated by bed closures due to nurse shortages.

"Due to nursing staff shortages, we now have both acute, and long-term, beds closed in many areas, ranging from Donegal to Waterford. The figures reaffirm the extent of the crisis arising from the recruitment/retention difficulties in nursing, which must be addressed through pay-related initiatives as an absolute priority," Mr Doran insisted.

He added that until these staff shortages are addressed, ‘both beds and services will remain curtailed and trolley numbers will continue to grow'.