Long wait for beds at UHG after hectic weekend at the Emergency Department

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Galway Daily news

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.

On Saturday, 220 people attended at the Emergency Department, and another 157 on Sunday, with a total of 96 admissions over the two days.

There are currently 25 patients in the Emergency Department with a further 18 patients on trolleys at ward level. UHG has also opened additional surge beds.

The hospital is also dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 on one ward. Where a ward is affected by COVID-19, visiting is limited, and all visits must be pre-arranged by the family members / nominated visitor, who should contact the relevant ward or unit in advance.

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. Patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward.

The hospital said in a statement 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.

Due to the pressures on the site and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is postponing some elective procedures.

Urgent, time-sensitive cases are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.

“As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised,” a statement from UHG said.

“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.”

“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.”