People with minor conditions urged to stay away due to Mullingar Hospital overcrowding

People with minor injuries or medical conditions have been urged to steer clear of Mullingar Hospital due to overcrowding.

Earlier today (Wednesday) it emerged that Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar was the most overcrowded in the country.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's Trolley Watch revealed there were 38 patients waiting for a bed in the Westmeath hospital.

And this afternoon a spokesperson for the Ireland East Hospital Group confirmed there was an issue with "increased attendances" in the hospital's Emergency Department.

"Regional Hospital Mullingar is currently experiencing increased attendances in the Emergency Department. The majority of those attending are older patients suffering with respiratory problems," the spokesperson said.

"In order to assist us we are requesting that patients with minor injuries or medical conditions in the first instance attend their GP or Midoc Service for assessment."

Elsewhere in the region, there are 13 patients on trolleys in Tullamore and 11 in Portlaoise.