People with non-urgent conditions asked to avoid midlands hospital today

The Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar has today (Tuesday) urged people experiencing non-urgent conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service – as it was confirmed that 18 admitted patients there are currently waiting for beds on trolleys.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) Trolley Watch, the 18 patients at the Westmeath hospital are part of a total of 672 admitted patients waiting for beds around the country this morning.

INMO reported there was no people waiting for beds this morning at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore.

In a statement issued by the HSE, it said: 'The Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar is experiencing increasing numbers of people requiring admission at this time. Unfortunately, patients who are presenting at the ED with non-urgent conditions are experiencing very long waiting times to be seen.

'Where possible, the management at Mullingar Hospital is asking patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service such as their local Injury Unit, Pharmacist, GP, or a GP out-of-hours service'.

The statement added that any patient who needs emergency hospital care will be seen and Regional Hospital Mullingar would urge such patients not to delay attending the ED.

'Do not delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency. Staff and management in Regional Hospital Mullingar apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their support and understanding', the statement said.