Healthcare workers are currently facing lower and unpredictable levels of staffing, according to the INMO.
Lower and unpredictable staffing levels are presenting a challenge to hospital staff amid overcrowding issues.
That's according to Industrial Relations Officer for Tullamore with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Bernadette Stenson.
The INMO is reporting 444 people are waiting on trolleys in emergency departments around the country.
That figure is 29 in the midlands, with 22 in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, and seven in Mullingar.
There is an additional 43 patients located on surge capacity wards in Tullamore hospital.
Ms Stenson says healthcare workers want to be assured of their own safety:
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