UHL is appealing to those needing medical care to consider other options before attending at the emergency department. Hospital management says there will be lengthy delays for people with less urgent care needs. Patients who are seriously ill or injured or worried that their life is in danger should continue to attend the Emergency Department where they will be treated as a priority.
Over 270 patients have attended the ED each day this week compared to an average of 210 daily attendances last year. UHL says the patients attending includes high volumes of frail elderly patients and other patients with complex care needs. As of 8 am this morning at UHL, a total of 36 admitted patients were waiting in the Emergency Department for an inpatient bed. The latest report from the INMO reports 48 patients on trolleys in Limerick and a further 14 accommodated by adding a bed to some ward of the hospital. Management says that they are working to ensure that care is prioritised for the sickest patients. As part of the response plan, additional ward rounds, accelerated discharges and identification of patients for transfer to local Model 2 hospitals are all underway.
Less ill patients are asked to first consider Injury Units, GPs, out-of-hours GP services and pharmacists before attending ED. Due to temporary staffing shortages Nenagh Injury Unit is operating a reduced service today and will only see review patients. New patients are being redirected to St John’s Injury unit in Limerick (8 am-7 pm) or the Ennis Injury Unit (8 am -8 pm). Nenagh Injury Unit will resume normal service tomorrow Thursday, October 20th (8 am-8 pm). Cashel Minor Injury unit is open with the last patients seen at 4.15 pm. Contact number for Cashel is 062-70400.
