The Emergency Department of Cork University Hospital was evacuated on Tuesday afternoon following concerns of a suspected chemical leak after a strong smell was detected.
As a precautionary measure, patients were removed to a suitable area and the Emergency Department was ventilated, CorkBeo reports.
The smell was investigated and was discovered to be a solvent being used in refurbishment works at the hospital.
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The Emergency Department has now been deemed safe and business has resumed as normal at the busy Cork city hospital.
A spokesperson for CUH said: "A solvent smell was detected in the Emergency Department (ED) of CUH. On investigation, it was discovered that the smell was as a result of refurbishment works in an area close to the Emergency Department.
"The work ceased immediately and as a precautionary measure patients were removed to a suitable area and the affected area was ventilated. The area has now been assessed and deemed safe, business has now resumed.”
It was undoubtedly an unwelcome disruption to the hardworking staff of the hospital, which just days ago urged the public to only attend the Emergency Department if it's "absolutely necessary" due to a backlog in dealing with patients.
Doctors and nurses are tackling long delays and management are asking the public to "explore other options" if they need care.
It's the 16th time in 2022 that such a request has been made by CUH bosses.
It's not just CUH that are working through a serious surge in demand, Mercy Hospital asked those needing "less urgent treatment" to use other care services last week.
The Mercy Emergency Department is seeing "high demand for its ED services due to an increase in the attendances of acutely ill patients.
"This is in addition to caring for frail older persons with complex needs coupled with the challenge of managing Covid-19 presentations."
Mercy Hospital has implemented an “Escalation Plan” to deal with the high number patients and the demand for inpatient beds.
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