The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway is extremely busy today with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.
As of this morning there are currently 31 patients on trollies in the Emergency Department and a total of 20 patients on trollies at surge level.
There are also 38 cases of patients with flu in the hospital, with several wards impacted. Signs notifying outbreak wards will be displayed at the ward entrance.
Due to a sharp increase in flu cases in the community and University Hospital Galway, we are appealing to anyone with flu-like symptoms not to visit the hospital.
As a necessary infection control measure, University Hospital Galway has introduced visiting restrictions.
“We regret the impact these restrictions will have on patients and their families, especially at this time of year, but we need to do everything we can to control the spread of infection,” a statement from the hospital said.
“The hospitals will be facilitating one visitor per inpatient each day. Where a ward is managing a flu outbreak, visiting will be limited to compassionate grounds only.”
“These restrictions are temporary and subject to change based on daily activity levels, so please check HSE.ie for information about visiting in your local hospital.”
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 and there is a high number of patients awaiting beds. 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.
As always, people who require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised.
