Letterkenny University Hospital ‘extremely busy’ after more than 200 people attend ED
The overcrowded hospital is seeing lengthy waits for admission as management reviews scheduled surgeries and prioritises urgent and time-sensitive procedures
Scheduled surgeries at Letterkenny University Hospital are being “reviewed” after more than 20 people attended its emergency department (ED) on Monday.
The HSE said the hospital’s ED continues to be extremely busy with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.
Monday saw 206 patients attending the ED and on Tuesday afternoon, there were 23 patients on trollies in the department and at ward level.
Management said there are also significant numbers of additional surge beds in use, which is impacting capacity.
Due to increased rates of respiratory illness in the community, visitors to the hospital are asked to use hand gel regularly and to not visit patients if suffering from a cough, cold, sore throat or high temperature. Visitors are also asked to postpone visits until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have cleared.
The HSE said the hospital is implementing all possible measures to improve patient flow and reduce delays in the emergency department and is asking the public to consider all available healthcare options before attending.
All available beds in the hospital are in use and patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the emergency department to a bed on a ward.
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, the HSE added.
“Everyone who presents will be treated, with priority given to those who are seriously ill or injured, " the HSE said in a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon.
“Patients who do not require urgent care unfortunately may experience longer waiting times.”
The hospital is reviewing elective procedures, management said, and urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised.
“Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed,” the statement continued.
“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.
“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.
“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.
“Community pharmacists provide expert advice and over-the-counter treatments for a wide range of minor illnesses. In addition to this expert advice, a new service is available which allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medication without the need to see a GP. The following common conditions can be treated under the Common Conditions Service; allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, cystitis (uncomplicated urinary tract infection), vaginal thrush. Information about the scheme is available on the HSE website here.
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