Northern Ireland Office Minister Des Browne said he was taking action over the number of people waiting for treatment amid reports that some patients waited on trolleys for 17 hours before beds became available.

Mr Browne said that in the short term the Department of Health was working with the Eastern Board to find solutions to the problem.

However, Brian Coulter of the Eastern Health Council said until the situation was tackled correctly, it would deteriorate.

Trolley waits

Antrim Area Hospital 24 Belfast City Hospital 23 Ulster Hospital 22 Craigavon Area Hospital 17

"Many of these folk are elderly people who by virtue of their dependency are even more vulnerable in the circumstance they find themselves in," he said.

"The evidence available to my council is that if we do not address this problem, we will inevitably reach a situation where morale reaches absolute rock bottom."

On Wednesday it emerged the number of trolley waits in the province's hospitals was higher than ever before with 106 people on trolleys in casualty departments across the Eastern and Northern Health Board Areas.

The worst affected hospitals were Antrim Area Hospital with 24, Belfast City Hospital where 23 patients were waiting and the Ulster Hospital with 22.

At the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, on the outskirts of east Belfast, eight patients had to wait more than 17 hours for a bed.

"I am not happy about people having to wait for long periods on trolleys before a bed becomes available but I am taking steps to address these problems Des Browne NIO health minister

And at Craigavon Hospital in County Armagh, 17 patients waited on trolleys for beds to become available.

The medical director of the Ulster Hospital, Dr Jim McFarland said staff were working under intense pressure.

"We are very conscious of how hard working our nursing staff and our medical staff are particularly in A and E department but also in the medical wards," he said.

"We are very conscious of the stress which they are under. They are doing their best for the patients under very difficult circumstances and we are trying our best to improve that."

Mr Browne said he had the utmost sympathy and concern for all patients and their families who are affected.

New hospital

"I am very aware of the recent pressures at the Ulster Hospital," he said.

"As the minister responsible, it is my duty to make sure that those who depend on our services get the care and attention they need, when they need it.

"I am not happy about people having to wait for long periods on trolleys before a bed becomes available.

"But I am taking steps to address these problems. For the short term, the Ulster is reviewing recent events and is working closely with the Eastern Board and my department to find solutions."

Meanwhile, Down Lisburn Health Trust has approved an outline business case for a new hospital in Downpatrick costing �29m.

The hospital is expected to have 114 beds and contain services like a 24-hour accident and emergency department and a coronary care ward.