Trolley numbers will soar unless long term measures in place

The Health Minister says unless long term measures are in place to tackle overcrowding in emergency departments, the numbers of patients on trolleys will soar in the New Year.

Leo Varadkar has convened a taskforce of doctors, HSE officials and hospital consultants to find solutions to the escalating problem.

The latest figures for patients waiting on trolleys – showed 174 people on Friday, but as many as 259 last Tuesday.

Minister Varadkar was asked if he could, like his predecessor, give assurances that there would never be as many as 570 people waiting on trolleys;

Mr. Varadkar on whether the measures will cost a lot;