Management at the Mercy asking people to explore all available options before turning up at the hospital's Emergency Department

The hospital has implemented it's escalation policy to deal with the high number of acutely ill patients presenting at the ED.

Patients are being warned of potentially long delays and are being reminded that South Doc is an option and that the Local Injury Units ay Bantry and Mallow General Hospitals are open until 7:30pm and 8pm respectively.

The Mercy have stressed that the clinical needs of all patients in the ED are being cared for.