The Saolta Group has issued a warning that patients attending the emergency department at Portiuncula Hospital may experience extremely long wait times today amid severe overcrowding and bed pressure.
INMO Trolley/Ward Watch figures show that there are 32 patients without a bed in Portiuncula Hospital today, 19 on trolleys in the emergency department, and 13 in the wards.
“The high number of people attending who need to be admitted for ongoing treatment means that there is pressure on bed availability,” a statement from Saolta to Galway Daily said.
“This is resulting in significant delays being experienced by patients in the Emergency Department who are waiting for a bed to become available on a ward.”
“There are currently a very high number of patients on trolleys in ED awaiting admission to in-patient beds.”
The hospital added that all available beds are in use, and that efforts are being made to discharge patients to make more beds available.
“The hospital acknowledges that these delays and postponements are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.”
People should still attend the ED in an emergency, but otherwise are asked to consider their GP or out of hours service if possible.
The Roscommon Injury Unit is also open from 8am to 8pm to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.
