The Irish Nurses' and Midwives' Organisation is hitting out at the HSE for not being prepared.
Nurses are calling for a national emergency plan to deal with overcrowding in hospitals.
761 patients - including 15 in Kildare - are currently waiting on trolleys in hospitals around the country, as the health service struggles to deal with a surge in serious flu cases.
The Irish Nurses' and Midwives' Organisation is hitting out at the HSE for not being prepared.
General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, says both patients and staff are suffering as a result.

Kfm Obituary Announcements
Kildare Man Charged With Criminal Damage By Arson Following Fatal House Fire
14th Annual Bluebell And Buskers Taking Place This Weekend
Allenwood Reservoir At Critically Low Levels, As Supply Due To Be Impacted Overnight
Young Kildare Delegates Attend Leinster House For Dáil na nÓg
Calls For Urgent Action To Address Occupational Therapy Waiting Times For Older People In Kildare
Kfm Exclusive: Works On Two Main Access Roads Will Cause "Absolute Chaos" In Celbridge