The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway is extremely busy with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.
At the weekend over 400 people attended the Emergency Department. As of this morning there are currently 23 patients on trollies in the Emergency Department and a total of 20 patients on trollies at ward level. All available surge areas are in use, with 45 patients in day wards and AMU awaiting a bed at ward level.
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.
The hospital has said that 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 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,” a statement from UHG said.
“We ask that people attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible. The Roscommon Injury Unit is also open from 8am to 8pm daily, to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over the age of five.”
“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.”
