One of the country's busiest hospitals is asking people to stay away from its Emergency Department (ED) unless absolutely necessary.

Over 45,000 patients attend the ED of Dublin's Beaumont Hospital every year, however this year has proven particularly busy and in recent days, ‘conditions for patients and staff have deteriorated' as a result.

Last Thursday, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) called for the hospital to go off call as over 90 patients were in the ED and almost 40 of those were waiting for a hospital bed.

The INMO insisted that patients were at ‘serious risk' and staff were at ‘breaking point' and the hospital did go off-call for a few hours on Friday.

It is now appealing to the public to help reduce the pressure on the ED. It is asking patients who may be considering attending the ED to contact their GP instead and if possible, ‘to avoid or delay their visit to the department'.

It also calling on GPs not to send patients to the ED ‘unless absolutely necessary'.

The hospital is also asking people with minor injuries and illnesses, and who have access to private health facilities, to use these instead.

In the meantime, all non-urgent admissions and surgery are being cancelled in order to free up beds in the hospital.

Speaking on RTE Radio this morning, the hospital's CEO, Liam Duffy, pointed out that Beaumont's catchment area has increased over the last five years and it includes ‘the oldest population in the Dublin region'. This, he said, has led to an increase in admissions.

He pointed out that other reasons for the capacity problems include expanding cancer services at the hospital and the fact that more than 100 patients are currently waiting for home care packages or places in nursing homes.

Mr Duffy added that there were no plans to go off-call this week, although the situation will continue to be closely monitored.