HSE issues hospital plea to Laois over pressures Portlaoise hospital
High levels of activity due to winter virus surge
People in Laois and other midland counties are being urged to avoid attending Emergency Departments at hospitals in the regions due to pressure placed on them by flu and Covid-19.
In a statement, the HSE said hospitals in Portlaoise, Tullamore and Mullingar, Tullamore are experiencing "very high levels of activity" this week due to ongoing high illness rates related to winter viruses.
It said there were 58 patients on trolleys and 96 additional surge beds open across the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (Tuesday, 23 January 2024). At midnight there were 53 people awaiting discharge.
The HSE said the latest information suggests that influenza levels seem to have peaked. However, it cautioned, that there will be ongoing high levels of health service activity arising from winter viruses for some weeks.
As a result, it issued the following plea.
"The HSE is urging the public to consider all available care options, including injury units, their GP, and local pharmacy if they have a minor ailment. Injury units are designed to treat injuries that are unlikely to need hospital admission and can treat someone with a non-life threatening injury like a sprain, broken bone or a minor cut or burn. Treatment such as x-rays, plaster casts and wound care are also available in an injury unit.
"Attending the ED with a minor injury will result in a longer waiting time to be seen as we prioritise patient urgent and emergency cases. You do not need an appointment for an injury unit and there is no charge if you have a GP referral letter or are a medical cardholder," said a statement.
To find out where your nearest injury unit is see the HSE website www.hse.ie/injuryunits
The statement said patients who attend EDs for routine and non-urgent treatment are being advised that they will experience very long waiting times.
The HSE said it regrets this delay and is asking all to help the frontline staff through a challenging time for our services by:
- Considering all healthcare options before attending ED including Injury Units, GP services and pharmacies
- Dialling 999 or 112 for emergency care if there is concern for serious illness or injury
- Maintaining good hand hygiene practices at all times and in particular when entering and leaving the hospital
- Following all infection control measures if visiting the Hospital including recommended mask wearing. Visitors should not visit if they have any respiratory like symptoms.
As always, if you or someone else is seriously ill or needs urgent emergency care, the HSE urges people not to delay going to ED or dialling 999/112 for help.
The HSE insisted that all hospitals have been working very hard to ensure patients who need emergency care are prioritised and that the hospital can respond to the additional pressures associated with respiratory illness at this time of year.
It said that unfortunately, people attending with less serious illness or injury will experience longer waiting times.
"Hospitals are working together with community partners to ensure that those patients who can be treated in alternative services are treated in those locations which avoids hospital attendance and are also providing support to ensure patients are discharged home or to other appropriate facilities, once they are clinically fit for discharge. This enables continuous focus remaining on patient flow through hospitals," it said.
MRH Portlaoise advises on what to do if you have to attend our Emergency Department.
Advice from MRH Portlaoise to help prevent your child from catching or spreading a virus.
The HSE publishes advice on what you should do if you have to go to an Emergency Department.