Emergency Departments Across Cork Face Extremely High Activity Levels

Hospital Emergency Departments in Cork and Kerry are experiencing far higher than normal attendances today, with HSE South West warning patients with non-urgent conditions to expect lengthy waiting times.

Cork University Hospital, Mercy University Hospital and University Hospital Kerry are all dealing with significantly elevated activity levels as ED staff prioritise patients based on clinical need.

Anyone requiring urgent or emergency care should still attend their closest Emergency Department where they will be prioritised. However, the HSE is urging people with less serious conditions to consider alternative care options before travelling to an ED.

Sonya Cotter, HSE South West Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Cork North and East, said:

"Our ED teams are working incredibly hard at the moment to make sure that those in most need of emergency care receives it as quickly as possible. The public can help them by considering other trusted health services, such as GPs, SouthDoc, pharmacists, and injury units. As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised."

HSE South West has reminded the public to "think three times" before attending an Emergency Department.

The first option is your local pharmacy. Through the Common Conditions Service, pharmacies can provide advice and prescribe medicine if needed for minor illnesses including coughs, colds, sore throats, earaches, rashes and stomach upsets.

The second option is your GP or the out-of-hours GP service, SouthDoc. GP surgeries will attempt to accommodate urgent problems that might otherwise require an ED visit, and can arrange tests, imaging and specialist referrals.

The third option is Injury Units. The HSE operates Injury Units in Mallow, Bantry and Gurranabraher where patients can receive expert care more quickly for appropriate conditions.