Industrial action by nurses us causing severe disruption for patients and is expected to increase, the Health Service Executive warned tonight.
In a statement the HSE said: "The continuation of this industrial action will cause significant disruption to hospital and community based services and cause hardship and distress to patients."
"In particular, the HSE is very concerned that the disruption of patient discharges will have an increasing impact on Emergency Departments (A&Es).
According to Gerry O'Dwyer of the National Hospitals Office: "members of the public should only attend an emergency department where absolutely necessary."
Members of the public are also being asked not to ring hospitals unless absolutely necessary.
The HSE claims that outpatient clinics and day treatment services have been hampered by the refusal of nurses to order blood tests and access test results.