The HSE has asked people to consider all options available to them before attending a hospital emergency department.
The call came as EDs across the country faced huge pressure over the bank holiday weekend.
People are being encouraged to present to their GP in the first instance and attend injury units rather than EDs.
Cork University Hospital is the second most overcrowded hospital in the country today with 54 people being treated on trolleys.
In total there are 67 people being treated on trolleys at Cork's three emergency hospitals.
