MEMBERS OF THE public are being asked to avoid attending one of the country’s busiest emergency departments if possible this evening.

Beaumont Hospital says that it treated its highest number of people in 18 months yesterday and has had to ask GPs not to send patients to the hospital unless absolutely necessary.

Around 50,000 people pass through the department every year and hospital staff say this is exacerbated by the number of older people living in the area and the weather.

“The ED is experiencing an unusually high level of patients presenting combined with a higher than normal admission rate from ED in the period since 28 December onwards.

“In line with the age profile of the area served by the hospital where one in three residents are aged over 65 and living alone, Beaumont is also seeing a high volume of older people attending ED. This includes a growing number of patients presenting with respiratory and influenza symptoms.”

To assist with this, the hospital is asking patients to avoid coming to the department if possible and to access private clinics where possible.

In line with the national escalation policy the hospital have introduced a number of measures to manage the situation including cancelling non urgent admissions and surgeries in order to free up additional beds.

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