Wexford General Hospital has experienced its worst overcrowding this week, with 32 patients on trolleys in various departments.
The influx of emergency cases has resulted in the cancellation of 50 scheduled surgery procedures at the hospital, it was confirmed.
"This represents the highest ever number of patients on trolleys and the situation is very serious. Staff have done their utmost to accommodate patients and we would ask people not to attend the hospital's A&E department unless absolutely necessary," said a spokeswoman for the South Eastern Health Board.
An additional 19 beds were announced for the hospital earlier this year by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin.
Tenders for the project have been submitted to the Department of Health and are awaiting approval. According to the South Eastern Health Board, the provision of extra beds would greatly alleviate the overcrowding situation at Wexford General Hospital.
"The 19 beds would dramatically improve things and make the situation a lot better," the spokeswoman emphasised.
Mr Tony Fitzpatrick INO representative said it had become increasingly difficult for nurses at the hospital to provide quality care because of bed shortages.
Meanwhile, a former health minister and Wexford TD Mr Brendan Howlin is calling on the Government to release immediate funding for the provision of the extra beds.
"The situation at Wexford General Hospital is reaching crisis point in terms of bed shortages, and this is in a county where the population increased by over 12,500 in the last census.
A promise was made at the beginning of the year to fund an additional 19 beds at the hospital. I am calling on the Government to immediately proceed to tender for these beds and to also release funding for additional staff," he said.