Nenagh Hospital elective surgery going ahead despite huge numbers at ED in Limerick

Limerick hospital sees high attendances, but Nenagh elective surgery going ahead

placeholder image — Limerick hospital sees high attendances, but Nenagh elective surgery going ahead

University Hospital Limerick (UHL) remains very busy this Tuesday managing a high number of patients presenting at its Emergency Department (ED), according to a spokesperson for the hospital.

The public are being asked to consider all available healthcare options to avoid long waits for assessment in the ED for less urgent cases.

A total of 246 patients presented to the Emergency Department on Monday, following a busy weekend when UHL and when other sites, including Nenagh Hospital, were busy managing a high number of inpatients, many of whom are very sick.

"Unfortunately, we have had to cancel day surgery at Ennis Hospital today (Tuesday) in order to create additional capacity for medical patients, and impacted patients are being contacted directly by the hospital. We apologise to any patient affected, and will work to ensure they are rescheduled at the earliest opportunity," they said.

However, elective activity is continuing on all other sites, and the group’s hospital management team (HMT) is keeping the situation under review on a day-to-day basis.

The spokesperson said that cancellations of elective activity were provided for in the group’s Escalation Plan, and while the decision was deeply regretted, it was necessary in the interests of patient safety.

Meanwhile, UHL medical teams are also undertaking additional ward rounds to identify patients suitable for transfer to Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals.

"We continue to work closely with our colleagues in HSE Mid West Community Healthcare in order to expedite discharges," they said.

Anyone presenting to ED this Tuesday with a less urgent condition is going to face a long wait for care.

Less acutely unwell patients are asked to first consider attendingInjury Units, GPs, out-of-hours GP services and pharmacists before attending ED.

Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s are operating as normal. Opening hours for Ennis and Nenagh Injury Units are 8am -8pm and St John’s Injury Unit 8am-7pm.