The Medical Assessment Unit at Bantry General Hospital is experiencing significant pressure and overcrowding and management is appealing to the public to only attend in the case of an emergency.

"Presentations to the department have increased and these patients have a variety of complex needs," the hospital said in a statement.

"Management at the hospital is asking members of the public to only attend in the case of a genuine emergency, advising that, where possible, a GP or Southdoc out of hours service be consulted in the first instance."

"We are asking people to think about all their care and treatment options and keep our Medical Assessment Unit service for the patients who need them most. The hospital is advising the public to attend their GP in the first instance, Cork University Hospital or University Hospital Kerry Emergency Departments."

However, Bantry Hospital said that if members of the public are seriously injured or ill or are worried that their life is at risk the unit will assess and treat you as a priority.

"Staff and management are working to prioritise the discharge of patients as soon as possible where appropriate."

"The management at BGH apologies for any inconvenience caused, but be assured that all clinical staff are working to improve patient flow within the hospital," the hospital said.