Mayo University Hospital has responded to queries in relation to the number of patients on trolleys yesterday.

There were 22 patients on trolleys at the Castlebar hospital yesterday, and 17 on Monday.

In a statement issued to Midwest News last night, management says the hospital has been extremely busy since the end of last week, with a high number of attendances in the Emergency Department each day.

With the maintenance of separate Covid pathways, there are a number of beds out of normal access - currently about 20.

Every day, more of these beds will be become available as the Covid inpatient numbers reduce.

Management are reminding the public only to attend the ED in the case of real emergencies - and to contact their GP otherwise.

Hospital manager Catherine Donohoe apologised to patients for the situation, and said that of the large number of patients on trolleys yesterday morning, many were later allocated beds or would be allocated beds by last night.