Serious overcrowding pressures at Mayo hospital as 33 patients await beds

"Due to these ongoing pressures, we are reviewing elective surgeries, some of which have been deferred. Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised."

The emergency department at Mayo University Hospital is extremely busy with high numbers of people attending the unit today who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.

Patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the department to a bed on a ward and for this we apologise.

There are 33 patients without beds at the facility, 16 in the emergency department 17 in wards elsewhere.

They are being accommodated on trolleys or chairs.

A statement by the hospital said: "Due to these ongoing pressures, we are reviewing elective surgeries, some of which have been deferred.

"Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised.

"The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.

"We ask that people attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible. We request that people only attend the emergency department at the hospital if it is an emergency situation.

"The hospital is committed to treating everyone who presents at the emergency department; people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer.

"Community pharmacists provide expert advice and over-the-counter treatments for a wide range of minor illnesses.

"In addition to this expert advice, a new service is available which allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medication without the need to see a GP.

"The following common conditions can be treated under the Common Conditions Service; allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, cystitis (uncomplicated urinary tract infection), vaginal thrush. Information about the scheme is available on the HSE website."