The Emergency Department at UHG is extremely overcrowded today, with the Saolta Group warning of long waiting times for admissions and beds.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said that UHG was the third most overcrowded hospital in the country this morning.
As of 8am on Wednesday morning there were 34 patients on trolleys in the Emergency Department at UHG, behind only UH Limerick (63) and Cork UH (37), though these numbers could have changed since the morning count.
A statement from the Saolta Group this afternoon said that there are currently long waiting times for admission to Emergency Department, and urged people not to come unless it is a real emergency.
“We regret that patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to an acute bed in the hospital. We know these delays are very difficult for our patients and their families.”
“We would like to remind the public that we encourage them to attend the Emergency Department only in the case of real emergencies.”
“If your health problem is not an emergency you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours or the Westdoc GP Out of hours service, in the first instance.”
“We would also like to remind patients that the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.”
“We are committed to treating everyone who presents at our ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority and apologise for the long wait times.”
People who do attend the A&E are reminded to abide by social distancing measures, and to come alone if at all possible, as companions will only be allowed to accompany individuals under exceptional circumstances.
