University Hospital Galway is cancelling some elective procedures amid high overcrowding as surge areas have been activated today.
The Emergency Department at UHG is extremely busy today, with high numbers of people attending who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.
Yesterday 319 people attended the Emergency Department. As of this morning, there were 24 patients on trolleys in the ED, 22 more patients on ward trolleys, and an additional 35 people on trolleys in surge areas.
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.
Everyone who presents will be treated, with priority given to those who are seriously ill or injured. Patients who do not require urgent care unfortunately may experience longer 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.
Due to these ongoing pressures and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is postponing some elective procedures.
Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.
The hospital has acknowledged that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families, and apologised for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.
