A dramatic increase in patient numbers has resulted in the Health Service Executive having to cancel operations, clinics and day procedures in Cavan General Hospital.
The HSE has said the curtailments in service are necessary to allow the hospital return to what it describes as a 'safe level of activity.'
It said the cancellation of non-emergency services will continue until at least the end of this week.
The number of patients presenting at Cavan's Emergency Department or needing treatment in the medical units has risen by up to 50% in the last week putting the hospital and staff under huge strain.
As a result the HSE put in place a range of measures to reduce activity.
Today all elective surgery were cancelled for the second day in a row. Other day services were been cancelled.
All medical clinics in Cavan and Monaghan General were cancelled while paramedics were told to bring patients to other hospitals when they can.
On Friday, when the measures were first introduced, and over the weekend outpatient services were closed while elective surgery was cancelled.
Sources say the recent removal of services from Our Lady's Hospital in Navan as well as the effective closure of Monaghan as a general hospital have been significant factors.
