Patients transferred to Tipperary hospital as Limerick faces surge in ED attendances

The Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Limerick continues to see very high volumes of patients, and members of the public are advised to consider all alternatives before attending ED, according to a statement from UHLG.

Over the past 48 hours, daily attendances at the ED have averaged 246, compared with 205 on the equivalent days last year. This has followed a busy weekend at the department, they said.

"We are currently caring for a large number of frail, elderly patients, children, and other patients with complex care needs. People with less urgent care needs are advised to expect long delays at the ED," said a spokesperson.

The said that the group was working to ensure that care was prioritised for the sickest patients.

"As part of our escalation plan, additional ward rounds, accelerated discharges and identification of patients for transfer to Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals are all underway," they said.

However, patients who are seriously ill or injured or worried that their life is in danger must continue to attend the ED where they will be treated as a priority.

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

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

For full contacts for the units, and the services available there, please see: https://www2.hse.ie/services/ injury-units/