A health watchdog has criticised a beds crisis at one of Belfast's biggest hospitals as unacceptable after patients were forced to wait on trolleys.

Eight patients are waiting in the accident and emergency unit of the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, on Thursday after more than 20 patients were kept waiting for beds earlier in the day.

The hospital confirmed that three people had been waiting for up to 17 hours and 14 had been waiting more than 12 hours.

A hospital spokesperson said it was an unacceptable situation but staff were "working tirelessly to alleviate the problem".

Crisis

A statement issued by the Ulster Community Hospitals Trust said it deeply regreted that even one person should have to spend a night on a trolley.

It added, "Unfortunately this problem has become an all too regular occurrence. Plans to increase capacity are well advanced and Trust management will continue to do everything possible to improve the situation."

The Democratic Unionist Party's health spokesperson, Iris Robinson, expressed concern about the situation.

"The bed situation at the Ulster Hospital continues to deteriorate," she said.

"The Ulster Hospital has been forced to cancel orthopaedic operations over the summer, and there are also serious pressures on intensive care beds."

Mrs Robinson said staff had to work within the confines of what was available.

She said the chief executive had assured her that everything possible was being done to manage the current situation.

In June, staff at the hospital said a beds shortage had reached crisis point.

About 30 patients, including a woman in her 90s, were forced to spend a night on trolleys and chairs.

Some patients were diverted to other Belfast hospitals.

The hospital said staff were working under extreme pressure. One nurse said staff had even been reduced to tears over the situation.