The Mater Miseriecordiae Hospital in Dublin has called on the public to attend a GP or injury clinic instead of going to the emergency department if possible.
In a statement this afternoon, a spokesperson for the hospital said it is currently experiencing “very high numbers and protracted wait times” in its emergency department.
“We are asking the public, where possible, to attend their GP in the first instance, or the Rapid Injury Clinic in Smithfield for minor injuries,” he said.
“Those attending the Emergency Department will be managed according to priority, so less urgent cases will experience delays.”
The warning comes as the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said there were 459 people waiting for a bed on trolleys and in wards around the country this morning.
There were 28 patients on trolleys in the Mater Hospital - the highest number in the country.
St Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny is facing the highest level of overcrowding - with 31 patients waiting for a bed on trolleys or in wards.
The national executive of the INMO is due to hold a special meeting next Monday, 30th January in order to make a decision on whether to announce a campaign of industrial action.
The union has already received a 90% mandate from its members to take action unless management can put forward “substantial proposals, to address the staffing, recruitment and retention crisis.”
