Critically ill patients at Sligo General Hospital will be transferred to other facilities in the area due to an increase in a bacterium that is resistant to most antibiotics.

The micro-organism V-R-E gets into open wounds and skin sores and can cause infections.

In a statement, the hospital says it believes that the micro-organism is potentially a risk to a small number of patients.

The hospital has, as a precautionary measure, taken the decision to restrict admission to the intensive care unit temporarily.

The hospital may also have to defer some elective procedures for a short time as a result.