ALMOST 53,000 patients have been left waiting for treatment on trolleys so far this year, figures obtained from the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) reveal.

This is an average of 1,020 people a week, which is an "all-time high", according to the INO.

Beaumont Hospital in Dublin is the worst offender with over 7,000 patients left on trolleys since January.

Also in Dublin, Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght, St Vincent's Hospital and the Mater Hospital have had in excess of 4,000 waiting patients.

According to Liam Doran of the INO, the figures are reaching a record high, despite a period of brief improvement two years ago.

"We are seeing situations where we have five and six ambulances queuing up outside Beaumont in the mornings. The level of demand and lack of resources in Irish hospitals are reaching huge proportions, and the figures are going to get worse."

Fine Gael health spokes­man James Reilly said the figures are "huge" and accused health minister Mary Harney of "not even trying to reform the health system".

"This is a very sad reflection on our health system. What ever happened to Mary Harney's commitment that the issue of those waiting on trolleys would be treated as a national emergency? She hasn't tried to reform the system. The HSE has proven itself to be a disaster as well as being incapable and inept."

According to Reilly, part of the reason for the huge numbers of patients being left on trolleys is a 70% increase in delayed discharges this year. He said a lack of resources and a shortage of staff in hospitals were contributing to the delays.

The latest figures show that 90% of patients are in hospital just to be diagnosed.

"Why should 35 people be traipsing to Beaumont Hospital to be diagnosed when, if the proper community facilities existed, their GP could go to them? Patients are left lying on trolleys for days on end and it is not acceptable," Reilly added.

Labour's health spokeswoman Jan O'Sullivan said the figures are "pretty damning" and also blamed Mary Harney.

"Considering this was meant to be a national emergency in 2006, these figures show a total failure on the minister's part. She said she was making plans but the figures say otherwise.

"These numbers are going to get worse when huge amounts of money are taken out of the health service in cuts. It is a disaster," O'Sullivan said.