Some 1,735 patients attended the Emergency Department (ED) in Cork University Hospital (CUH) between January 11 and 19, with almost 900 of these requiring inpatient admission.

As a result of these high levels of activity, the hospital has postponed all non-urgent elective procedures today (January 21), in an attempt to ease pressure overall.

All patients affected by this decision have already been contacted and told that their procedures will be rescheduled.

The hospital is asking people to consider other options before attending the ED if their needs are not urgent.

The recent cold weather has contributed to the high number of patients presenting at the ED, with a large number attending with fall-related injuries. The hospital also noted an increasing number of patients presenting with respiratory/flu-like symptoms.

The HSE has apologised for any inconvenience caused.