By Michelle Crean 

Members of the public are being asked not to attend A&E at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) as it is under extreme strain.

Staff are experiencing unprecedented levels of patients in the Emergency Department over the past number of days.

As a direct result of the volume of presentations, there is extreme strain on physical capacity within the Emergency Department itself and on bed capacity for those who require admission, the HSE said in a statement.
 
"Our focus and priority is to ensure patient safety in the Department and throughout the hospital. Given the prevailing status of the hospital, we are asking patients to only attend the ED in the event of an emergency.

"Where appropriate, we are requesting the public to contact Pharmacy/GPs/South Doc in the first instance and explore all other options available to them prior to presenting to the Emergency Department. Where you do require to present with an emergency, please anticipate lengthy delays.

"UHK would like to extend a very sincere ‘Thank You’ in anticipation of the public’s cooperation with these arrangements."