The wait times at the emergency department in the Mercy University Hospital must be treated as a city wide issue, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
It comes after the hospital called for patients to consider other care services before presenting at the ED.
A recent survey found that 12,000 over 75s were waiting at least 24 hours before being treated or discharged at emergency departments.
INMO Industrial Relations Officer, Liam Conway says although there is hope for increased bed capacity at the Mercy, Cork University Hospital must not be forgotten about.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the Mercy's bed capacity."
"There is additional beds to come on stream at the end of this year, a significant boost in bed numbers, and it should alleviate some of the challenges faced in the ED."
"I think we need to look at this as a city wide issue for both the Mercy and CUH, there needs to be clear plans for this winter because we know the numbers and presentations will increase as we head into the winter period, but we know the beds aren't increasing to match that demand."
