The National Ambulance Service is reminding people to only call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency, particularly with the Easter Bank Holiday weekend approaching.
The service is asking the public not to use ambulances as a way of getting to hospital for non life threatening illnesses or injuries.
It said: “Please remember that you should only call 112 or 999 in an emergency. Being brought to hospital by ambulance will not get you seen any quicker once there.
“Please help us to keep ambulances available for life threatening emergencies.”
Patients attending Accident and Emergency departments, including Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, are treated under a triage system. This means people are seen based on the seriousness of their condition, not how they arrive at hospital.
The National Ambulance Service also urged members of the public not to take photos or videos at the scene of incidents.
It said: “It’s natural to want to see what’s going on in an emergency situation but please put the camera away. If you witness a medical emergency or accident, respect the privacy of both patients and staff and don’t take any photos or recordings.”
Motorists are also being asked not to stop at the scene of collisions, as this can block access for emergency services and create further risks on the road.
