Three children’s hospitals in Dublin are asking families to stay away, unless it is absolutely necessary to attend.

Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin, Temple Street and the National Children’s Hospital say they have seen an increase in Emergency Department attendances and admissions to inpatient beds in the last month.

They are also warning of an increase in the number of young children and infants presenting with respiratory infections.

While this is usual for the time of year, they are asking families to first go to their GP or out-of-hours GP service.