It's emerged that one local hospital has recorded a stark surge in terms of numbers waiting for a bed.
A 40 per cent jump has been reported at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar compared with this time last year.
New figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show more than 101,000 patients have been treated on trolleys or other unsuitable spaces in hospitals so far this year.
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The INMO is warning that chronic understaffing and rising overcrowding in hospitals like Mullingar are pushing the system toward a dangerous winter.
Local Cllr Paul Ross, who's a member of the Regional Health Forum says we are leading into a difficult time for the sector:
