A shortage of beds and staff will be the focus of the union's annual conference.

An unannounced inspection by HIQA personnel was carried out at the hospital on two days last December

Nationally, 115,165 patients did not wait to be seen in emergency departments last year.

The facility could be built outside Tullamore in Offaly ,close to the existing hospital.

40 per cent the over 200 medicines currently out of stock were found to have just one supplier.

Stephen Black, a data scientist from Belfast, is basing his findings on the results of a major study.

Deputy Harkin is urging the Minister to open private hospitals to take the overflow.

Sligo hospital has seen huge overcrowding during the last year leading to over 34 consultants in the facility to write a letter to the Taoiseach expressing their concern