The HSE's director of acute hospitals - who is also charged with reducing overcrowding in Emergency departments - has resigned.

Dr Tony O'Connell was appointed last May and is leaving to return to his native Australia.

In a statement last night, the HSE confirmed that he was stepping down and would be leaving in the coming weeks.

It said he was resigning in order to join his wife who has recently been offered an academic position in an Australian university

The resignation came as a record 563 people were waiting on trollies to be admitted to hospitals yesterday.

Dr O'Connell chaired the new Emergency Department Taskforce, which was set up to tackle overcrowding - and met for the first time a fortnight ago.