Only attend local hospital, if absolutely necessary, HSE says

The HSE is asking people only to attend the emergency department at Regional Hospital Mullingar if absolutely necessary and not to bring children, if at all possible.

The advice was issued as it emerged there were 27 people being treated on trolleys at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar this morning, according to the INMO's daily Trolley Watch survey.

All 27 patients are being treated in the hospital's Emergency Department (ED).

The hospital said it is currently extremely busy and delays are being experienced.

"We advise visitors to only attend the hospital ED if absolutely necessary and to not bring children, if at all possible.

"Management would ask the public, where possible, to consider their care options, telephone their GP or pharmacist to seek the best advice, rather than presenting at the hospital.

The hospital said it wanted to assure people that anyone seriously injured or ill will be assessed and treated as a priority.

We’d also like to remind the general public that anyone who is experiencing Covid-19 like symptoms to please contact their GP in the first instance.