The HSE is calling on people to consider all care options before attending Emergency Departments.
There've been record numbers of patients presenting at EDs this year for care and treatment.
It includes those who are then discharged without needing hospital admission, when they could have gone to other healthcare services.
Cork University Hospital is consistently among the most overcrowded Emergency Departments in the country.
The INMO raised concerns about the level of overcrowding at the hospital last week when it revealed that 74 people were on trolleys in the ED, just 10 less than the all time high of 84 patients.
National Ambulance Service Clinical Director, Professor Cathal O'Donnell says there are other options for those with more minor injuries and ailments:
"There are lots of options out there. We have local injury units around the country that provide a fantastic service for people who have an injury, and you can be in and out of these injury units very quickly. GP out of hours may be an option depending on the severity of the problem and community pharmacies are a fantastic resource as well."
