The Mater Hospital in Dublin is urging people with non-urgent conditions to avoid coming to its emergency department amid “extreme pressure”. 

The pressure is due to a high number with non-urgent people conditions asking to be seen and the result is lengthy waiting times for all patients. 

The hospital stresses that any patient with an urgent condition will be seen and asks those individuals not to delay seeking care. 

However, they ask that anyone with a non-emergency condition seek help from a minor injury unit or a GP instead.

Main image: The Mater Hospital in Dublin. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie