Health officials in Dublin are asking parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it is absolutely necessary.
A recent rise in the number of respiratory illnesses has put a lot of pressure on the staff at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals.
They are reminding patients to contact their GP or pharmacist before presenting, unless it is an emergency.
Be prepared to wait
CHI's Dr Paddy Fitzpatrick has said that anyone attending emergency departments over the next few days should be prepared to wait.
“Our emergency departments in Temple Street and Crumlin, our emergency care unit in Tallaght and our urgent care centre in Connolly are all experiencing busy activity in terms of attendances,” he said.
“Some patients with less serious presentations will experience longer waiting times.”
Patients who need emergency management will be “prioritised and treated with urgency”, Dr Fitzpatrick said.
A busy hospital. Image: Alamy
