People across Ireland are being asked to consider all of their options before turning up at emergency departments as pressure mounts on the health system this bank holiday weekend.
The HSE made this request and warned that patients who are attending EDs with non-life-threatening concerns are likely to experience major delays.
HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster said: “We know that hospitals will experience pressure coming into Tuesday morning. Substantial work over the weekend has been of some benefit, but the position remains challenging.
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“In as much as possible we want to reduce discomfort for the public and staff and part of that response lies in the use of all options”.
People are being urged to attend injury units instead of emergency departments for cases of broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds, and minor burns.
This comes after the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation put out a warning last week as the number of patients on trolleys reached 527.
The union called on the HSE to take action ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend to avoid a hike in the number of patients on trolleys in hospitals nationwide.
Over the past few months, the INMO has been calling on officials to take urgent action to avoid the trolly crisis worsening, but with a busy few days ahead an increase in numbers is inevitable.
However, concerns are being raised among union members as they head into the Bank Holiday with overcrowding already being an issue.
As of 8am on Wednesday, the latest figures show there were 582 patients admitted to hospitals without a bed.
In a meeting with senior HSE management late last week, the INMO set out several actions that can be taken this weekend to alleviate pressure next week.
Following their requests, it is understood that they are awaiting a response from the HSE.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: "Our members are concerned at the very high levels of overcrowding leading into the Easter period and we have set out the necessary immediate steps that must be taken to alleviate pressure across hospital sites.
"We know that after every bank holiday there is a predictable surge in the number of people on trolleys.
"Therefore, all efforts to increase discharges, including over the long weekend period must be undertaken.
"Where it is available additional capacity must be obtained from the private sector and alternative care pathways in the community must be utilised."
According to Trolley Watch figures, University Hospital Limerick is currently the worst affected hospital with 98 patients on trolleys, followed by Cork University Hospital with 73 patients on trolleys.
University College Hospital Galway is third on the list with 59 people awaiting a bed, and Letterkenny University Hospital has 48 patients on trolleys.
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