University Hospital Waterford is the most overcrowded hospital in the country today.
44 people are waiting on trolleys for admission to a bed, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
Overall around the country there are 506 adults on trolleys.
A visiting ban also remains in place at UHW, due to the current prevalence of flu.
The public is asked not to visit patients unless absolutely critical. Children are also actively discouraged from visiting.
CHILDREN
For the first time the INMO is to begin counting the number of children without a bed.
The INMO will now count and publish trolley figures for Ireland’s Children’s hospitals: Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, National Children’s Hospital Tallaght and Children’s University Hospital Temple Street.
According to the organisation, trolleys in paediatric hospitals is a new phenomenon and highlighted that these numbers have not previously been included in the trolley count.
The figures reveal that in the first two weeks of January 2018, there were 73 children on trolleys in the three children’s hospitals.
"The negative outcome for patients arising from long trolley waits is proven and accepted," said INMO General Secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha.
"Exposing children to extended periods in an emergency department is unsatisfactory on many levels not least of which is the possible exposure to traumatic events."
A temporary traffic management system will be in place at University Hospital Waterford from today.
There will be limited set down and taxi parking at the main entrance to the hospital for three weeks.
It's to allow construction work associated with the new five storey Dunmore Wing and Palliative Care Unit to take place.
