Longford patients urged to "consider their options" before attending Mullingar Hospital's A&E department
Patients are being advised this morning to "consider their options" before attending Mullingar's Midland Regional Hospital as it struggles to keep a lid on capacity levels.
A spokesperson for Ireland East Hospital Group said staff were attempting to keep a lid on a rise in demand which has added extra strain on the facility.
"The hospital is in escalation and the teams are working to manage the current adult in-patient and Covid-19 bed capacity together with scheduled care," said a spokesperson.
"We would ask patients to consider their options before attending the Emergency Departments."
The spokesperson added any patients who do attend the hospital's accident and emergency section and who are not triaged as being seriously ill were likely to face a long wait before being seen.
"Adult patients who require urgent care will be prioritised," added the spokesperson.