Overcrowding sees surgeries cancelled in two Cork hospitals

Overcrowding in the emergency departments (EDs) of two Cork city hospitals has forced the cancellation of non-urgent surgeries.

Both Cork University Hospital (CUH) and the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) issued statements yesterday calling on members of the public to present at their respective EDs as a last resort.

CUH said the hospital has been “exceptionally busy in recent weeks”, particularly last weekend, when some 694 patients attended the ED between Friday and Monday. Of these, 236 required admission to hospital.