The hospital is “exceptionally busy.”

Cork University Hospital has discouraged the public from turning up to A&E except in urgent cases.

A spokesperson for the hospital, which is the only Level 1 Trauma Centre in Ireland, said that they had been “exceptionally busy” over the past few days.

“Due to this increased level of activity and subsequent admissions, it is regrettable that some patients may experience a delay in the ED.

“Hospital management has requested that, where appropriate, the public contact their GP/South Doc in the first instance and explore all other options available to them prior to attending the Emergency Department if their needs are not urgent.

“Patient care is paramount in CUH and this situation is being treated as a priority by Hospital Management who have taken steps to address this issue.”

It is not the first time in recent months that CUH has had to dissuade patients from attending its A&E, having made an identical request in September.

CUH is the second Cork hospital to find itself overmatched by its patient load in the last few months, with Bantry General Hospital having made a similar request in August.

Details of other care options can be found below:

General Practitioner/South Doc

Mercy Urgent Care Centre, St. Mary’s Health Campus, Gurranabraher, Cork

Opening hrs. 8:00am to 6.00pm

Telephone – 021-4926900

Local Injuries Unit Bantry General Hospital

Opening hrs. 8:00am to 7:30pm.

Telephone 027 50133

Local Injuries Unit, Mallow: General Hospital.

Opening hrs. 8:00am to 7:00 pm.

Telephone 022 – 58506.