The Irish Nurses' Organisation has sought an urgent meeting with the Midland Health Board to seek an end to serious congestion at Tullamore General Hospital.
The INO says orthopaedic surgery at the hospital has been cancelled because of congestion with four patients spending 18 hours on trolleys.
The day surgery facility has also been used to take the overflow of patients from A&E at the hospital.
The INO says the situation is now intolerable for patients and nurses.
