Extremely busy hospital apologises for 'inconvenience to patients'

For the third day in a row MRH Mullingar has advised the public to only attend the hospital's ED "if absolutely necessary and to not bring children, if at all possible".

In a statement issued a short time ago, the hospital said:

"Hospital management apologises for the inconvenience to patients and their families and thanks the public for their cooperation at this time.

"Management would ask the public, where possible, to consider their care options, telephone their GP/or pharmacist in the first instance to seek the best advice, rather than presenting at the hospital.

"Regional Hospital Mullingar would like to assure people that anyone seriously injured or ill will be assessed and treated as a priority.

"The management of Regional Hospital Mullingar would like to thank the public for their continued support."

According to the INMO's Trolley Watch survey, there were 27 people being treated on trolleys in the hospital's ED this morning.