Mater Hospital appeals to public to avoid its emergency department if possible

The Mater Hospital in Dublin has appealed to the public to avoid its emergency department “where possible”. Hospital services are under “extreme pressure” due to the high numbers of presentations, it said on Monday afternoon.

“Patients who are presenting at our ED with non-urgent conditions are unfortunately experiencing lengthy waiting times to be seen,” it said in a statement.

“Where possible, the Mater advises patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service such as minor injury units or their GP.”

The hospital said any patient who is in need of emergency hospital care would “of course be seen” and urged such patients “not to delay and to seek such care”.