Do not attend overcrowded emergency department unless absolutely necessary hse

For the second day running the public have been asked not to attend the overcrowded Emergency Department (ED) at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar "unless it is absolutely necessary".

In a statement just released to the Westmeath Examiner, the HSE has said that there are currently 19 people waiting for admission on trolleys in the ED.

"In order to safely manage patients waiting in the Emergency Department for admission and have facilities available for emergencies that may present this evening and tonight the Hospital is asking people not to attend the Emergency Department unless it is absolutely necessary. There are currently 19 people waiting for admission.

"The Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar regrets that any patient has to wait for long periods for admission and is making every effort to ensure that patients are admitted to beds as appropriate across the hospital.

"The situation is being kept under continuous review."