Galway University Hospitals is cancelling elective procedures as ongoing pressure on the emergency department over the weekend is affecting the number of beds available.
Nearly 200 people attended the emergency department on Saturday, and a further 169 on Sunday, with a total of 68 patients admitted over the two days.
As of this morning, there were 29 patients in the Emergency Department with 15 on ward trolleys, totalling 44 patients waiting to be admitted. Additional surge areas are also in use.
This, along with viral cases, is putting pressure on the number of beds available at the hospital.
“We are continuing to manage multiple outbreaks of COVID-19 and Norovirus cases,” a statement from UHG said today.
“We would like to remind the public that where a ward is affected by COVID-19 and Norovirus, visiting is limited and all visits must be pre-arranged by the family members / nominated visitor, who should contact the relevant ward or unit in advance.”
“The hospital is advising that patients who attend ED for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times.”
“All available beds in the hospital are in use. 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.”
Some elective procedures are being cancelled at the hospital due to the lack of available beds. The hospital is contacting patients who will be affected by this.
The hospital is asking people to only come to the emergency department if the situation is urgent.
People should attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible.
All visitors to the hospital will be required to practice good hand hygiene and use hand gel regularly, face masks are available for use throughout the hospital.
