Pressure on A&E depts eases slightly

The Eastern Regional Health Authority has reported a fall in the number of people attending Accident & Emergency departments following an appeal to the public yesterday.

Patients were urged to stay away from A&E units unless they were seriously ill or injured because of serious overcrowding, mainly in Dublin.

Despite the fall-off in numbers, the ERHA said the lack of beds is still serious and it called on people to avoid A&E departments again today unless they absolutely need to attend.