The Health Minister Simon Harris has appealed to parents to avoid visiting Dublin’s three children’s hospitals this weekend as they face an “unprecedented, never before seen level of demand”.

The three children’s hospitals issued a joint statement yesterday warning parents of “unprecedented demands for admissions” this weekend.

The children’s hospitals in Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght say parents should first bring their children to their family doctor, or an out-of-hours GP service, and only go to the hospitals in the case of an emergency.

The say an increase in patients with respiratory infections is causing the pressure on emergency departments.

Speaking to the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) this morning, the minister encouraged parents to “follow the advice of those in our hospitals” and contact a family practitioner where possible.

“This will obviously enable your child to be seen quickly and indeed if there is a need to go to the hospital then that decision can be taken in consultation with the GP.”

The Children’s Hospital Group representing Temple Street, Crumlin Children’s Hospital and the children’s hospital in Tallaght have apologised to patients for the increased waiting times this weekend.

In a statement the group said it is working closely with the “clinical directors and hospital management in the three hospitals to ensure that every effort is made to manage this situation”.