A nursing union official says the constant overcrowding in the Emergency Department at Mullingar hospital isn't helping in the ongoing battle with Covid.
Albert Murphy who's assistant Director of Industrial Relations with the INMO says although the union has been highlighting the issue for some time now, there's been little or no improvement.
The nursing union representative says with 40 or so beds being designated for potential Covid patients, bed capacity in Mullingar is under more severe pressure than ever.
There are 13 patients being treated for Covid in the hospital today, with two of those in intensive care.
A total of 19 nurses are off the roster due to Covid, and a total of 36 staff are affected across the board.
Albert Murphy says while the Mullingar facility is coping well so far with the recent increase in Covid cases, it will also have a negative effect on an already stretched bed capacity.
