The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says the number of people waiting on trolleys has reached an all time high.
Daily trolleywatch figures show there are 563 people on trolleys throughout the country, and the INMO is now calling for the cancellation of all routine admissions in all acute hospitals for at least a fortnight.
Their comments come as around one thousand healthcare workers in the Mid West have begun balloting for industrial action in response to overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick.
Today 25 people are recorded on trolleys there and Industrial relations officer Mary Fogarty says her members fear for patient safety.