The problem of gross overcrowding in hospital A&E departments in the eastern region resurfaced yesterday when the situation was described as worse than that of two years ago.
The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) put at almost 200 the number of people on trolleys and chairs awaiting admission to just six hospitals.
It said the situation was worst at Naas General Hospital, where there were 45 patients awaiting beds in the hospital's new A&E department.
There were also 41 patients on trolleys or chairs in the Mater Hospital, and a further 39 in a similar situation at Beaumont Hospital.
Eight of the patients waiting on trolleys or chairs in Beaumont yesterday had been waiting for beds since Monday. Ten of those waiting were over 80 years of age, said the INO general secretary, Mr Liam Doran.
Furthermore, he said there were 28 patients on trolleys at Tallaght Hospital, 18 at St James's and eight at James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown. Overall, this was worse than two years ago.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) said it was aware of the situation, and urged people not to attend A&E unless absolutely necessary.
Mr Doran said the situation was so bad in all the hospitals that none could go off-call for even a few hours to get to grips with the situation.
"This unacceptable crisis has arisen only days into the new year, notwithstanding commitments from the ERHA and senior hospital management before Christmas that they would actively manage the situation to avoid these difficulties."
The ERHA said it was working with the hospitals to recruit more nurses so that closed beds could be opened. Health boards outside the eastern area had been contacted to ascertain if there were any nurses available for work in the east, and an overseas recruitment campaign would take place this month.
"Detailed discussions have taken place with Spanish nursing authorities with a view to recruiting nurses there.
"Spain is willing to support English language classes for their nurses to enable them to work in Ireland," it added.