Serious concern has been raised over unseasonably high numbers attending the Emergency Department at Sligo University Hospital.

There were 49 people awaiting admission there this morning.

It comes as a report issued last month by HIQA showed that overcrowding in Sligo is negatively impacting the privacy and dignity of patients, as well as risking their safety.

The report outlined that trolley numbers are too high and patient experience targets have been breached.

Fianna Fail Cllr and Member of the Regional Health Forum Edel MacSharry says there could be a number of reasons behind the rise:

>*