23 people were receiving treatment on trolleys in Cavan General this morning as the hospital issued an "in escalation" advisory notice to the public. All 23 patients were on trolleys in the Emergency Department with no one on trolleys in any other ward in the facility.
First thing this morning, management of Cavan General issued a statement to say the hospital was "in escalation" which means a significant increase in patients attending A&E. A statement says some of those presentations are down to a notable rise in flu-related cases.
While staff are still providing emergency care if it's required, patients are being advised to seek alternative pathways to ED referrals where possible. People in the Northern Sound region can attend Monaghan Injury Unit at Monaghan Hospital between 8am and 8pm every day.
Injury units like that in Monaghan treat non life-threatening injuries in persons aged over five like broken bones, scalds and burns, wounds and minor head injuries. Monaghan GP, Dr Illona Duffy explained why it's important for people to get the flu vaccine:
