The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway (UHG ) is extremely busy today (Tuesday ) with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.
The ED saw an exceptionally busy day yesterday, when 304 people attended, resulting in 59 admissions. As of this morning (August 26 ), there are 26 patients in the Emergency Department and a further 12 patients on trolleys at ward level. Additional surge beds were also opened yesterday and will be in use again today.
The hospital is advising that patients who attend ED for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times.
All available beds in the hospital are in use. As a result, patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward. The hospital has said it is making every effort to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity.
Due to these ongoing pressures and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is postponing some elective procedures. Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.
As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs, where they will be prioritised.
The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.
The hospital has said it is committed to treating everyone who presents at the Emergency Department; people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer.
The hospital is also asking that people only attend the Emergency Department if it is an emergency situation People are asked to attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if possible.
The Roscommon Injury Unit is also open from 8am to 8pm daily, to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over the age of five.
All visitors to the hospital will be required to practice good hand hygiene and use hand gel regularly. Face masks are also available for use throughout the hospital.
People should check the HSE website for useful advice on common illnesses such as colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats and keeping well.
