People attending the Emergency Department at Mayo General Hospital are warned to expect delays, due to pressure on the unit this week.

There were 20 patients on trolleys at the Castlebar Hospital earlier today, according to the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation, and the HSE West says the Emergency Department is extremely busy with a high number of patients awaiting admission.

All beds are in use at the hospital at present, and in addition it has been necessary to accommodate patients in the Medical Assessment Unit, which is adding to pressure on that unit.

The HSE says every effort is being made to identify beds for patients requiring admission to hospital, but people attending A & E can expect delays.

Members of the public are being advised to visit the Emergency Department only in cases of real emergencies – otherwise to contact their GP or GP Out-of-Hours service first.