St James's Hospital asks public to avoid emergency department if possible amid system issue

ST JAMES’S HOSPITAL in Dublin is asking the public to try to avoid its emergency department if possible amid ‘significant delays’.

The hospital is experiencing a “serious performance issue” with its patient administration system.

In a statement this afternoon, it said this issue is “severely impacting the processing of patients through our emergency department, leading to significant delays”.

As a result, it is asking the public to consider all possible care options before attending its emergency department.

“Please consider all available care options including injury clinics, your GP or your local pharmacy before coming to St James’s Hospital’s Emergency Department,” the hospital said.

It said the problem is “being dealt with as a high priority”.