Overrun Emergency Departments can expect 'apocalyptic' conditions this winter, medic warns

Patients may experience delays at the emergency departments at CUH and MUH

An ambulance outside the emergency department at CUH. Picture: Denis Minihane.

“Apocalyptic” conditions can be expected in emergency departments this winter as A&Es are already struggling with capacity now during the summer, a medic has warned.

The HSE today urged people to stay away from already overstretched EDs nationwide as they struggled to cope with a surge in demand, complicated further by “the IT issues and manual work arrangements,” following the cyber hack.