You’re asked to avoid St Lukes Emergency Department if possible

Management at St Luke’s Hospital for Carlow/Kilkenny are asking people to avoid going to their A&E department where possible.

Yesterday the local hospital had the 4th highest number of people waiting on a trolley or in a ward at 36.

In a statement to KCLR News, the HSE said that this time of year is always exceptionally busy.

The Winter Escalation Protocol has been activated and they’re discharging patients as soon as they’re able to do so.

They say the situation there is being monitored constantly and they’re asking that people visit their GPs before coming to the Emergency Department.