66,400 patients have now been recorded on trolleys in the first half of 2026, an increase of 12 per cent compared to the same period last year

The union's director of professional services, Tony Fitzpatrick, said nurses regularly report working in understaffed wards.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said racially motivated abuse of workers should not be tolerated.

The HSE said it has appointed a highly experienced team to manage and lead the maternity service at Portiuncula University Hospital as it awaits the outcome of the reviews