University Hospital Galway has activated surge areas and is warning of long waiting times to be seen as high numbers of people attend the ED today.
Yesterday 323 people attended the Emergency Department at UHG. As of this morning, there are 29 patients on trolleys in the ED, another 22 patients on ward trolleys, and an additional 38 patients in surge areas.
The hospital is working to reduce delays in the emergency department and is asking patients to consider all healthcare options before coming to the ED.
Everyone who presents will be treated, with priority given to those who are seriously ill or injured. Patients who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer.
All available beds in the hospital are in use, with long waiting times for people to be admitted to a bed from the ED.
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,” a statement from UHG said.
“Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.”
“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.”
Unless their situation is an emergency, people are being asked to consider their GP, the out of hours service, or Roscommon Injury Unit in the first instance.
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.
