THE HSE HAS encouraged people with nonmedical emergencies to avoid the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick, where almost 1,000 people have attended over the past three days. A statement issued Thursday by HSE Mid West said UHL was “experiencing sustained high demand in its Emergency Department (ED), with attendances significantly above expected levels in recent days”. To date this year, 55,467 patients have attended the Emergency Department at UHL, the highest number of attendances at any emergency department nationally, according to HSE figures. GPs can also refer patients requiring urgent, but not emergency, assessment to the Medical Assessment Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals,” it said. “Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospital are open daily from 8am to 8pm.