The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway is extremely busy today with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment. The increase in patients awaiting admission has also seen a number of elective procedures postponed.
There were 31 patients on trollies in the Emergency Department this morning, and a total of 20 patients on trollies at surge level. There are also 38 cases of patients with flu in the hospital, with several wards impacted. Signs notifying outbreak wards will be displayed at the ward entrance.
Due to a sharp increase in flu cases in the community and University Hospital Galway, people are asked not to visit the hospital if they have flu-like symptoms.
UHG has introduced visiting restrictions as a necessary infection control measure. The hospital said in a statement today that it regrets the impact these restrictions will have on patients and their families, especially at this time of year, but it was necessary control the spread of infection.
The hospital will be facilitating one visitor per inpatient each day. Where a ward is managing a flu outbreak, visiting will be limited to compassionate grounds only. These restrictions are temporary and subject to change based on daily activity levels, and those planning to visit are asked to check HSE.ie for information about visiting your local hospital.
Everyone attending the hospital should be extra vigilant, and all are asked to wash their hands and use hand gel regularly. Face masks are widely available across the hospital.
The hospital is also advising that patients who attend the ED for routine and non-urgent treatment that they will experience very long waiting times.
All available beds in the hospital are in use and a high number of patients are awaiting beds today, with patients enduring long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward. The hospital has said every effort is being made 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.
Elective procedures postponed
Some elective procedures have been postponed due to the ongoing pressures and the lack of bed capacity. Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised, and 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 said in a statement that it acknowledges these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.
"The hospital 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 statement read.
"We request that people only attend the Emergency Department at the hospital if it is an emergency situation. We ask that people attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible.
"People should check the HSE website for useful advice on common illnesses such as colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats and keeping well."
Keeping up to date with your vaccines is the most important thing you can do to avoid serious illness from flu. Find your nearest clinic here.
