ON THURSDAY of this week, hospital management at the University Hospital Limerick (UHL) outlined plans to try to bring down the numbers waiting on trolleys for treatment.
In a statement released to the media, a hospital spokeswoman said: “Amongst the key factors contributing to the increase in pressure within the ED is the older age profile of patients presenting and the complexity of issues they have.
“As a result, we are experiencing delays in discharging these patients home or to other appropriate settings. We have worked with our Community colleagues over the last week who have identified capacity and supported our patient discharges to elderly care units or nursing homes”.
As part of our escalation plan to address the expected increase, UL Hospitals has opened additional beds across the group and patients who have finished their care are being discharged home or to the community.
The hospital has begun to transfer patients from UHL to Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s for ongoing treatment. Following the re-configuration of Surgery across UL Hospitals, elective surgeries are being carried out in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals.
“The majority of these surgeries are day case and do not impact on our in-patient capacity, resulting in a small number of elective surgeries being deferred this week, ” the spokeswoman said. .
“Our staff are working very hard to ensure the optimum care and safety of all our patients during this exceptionally busy period.
“UL Hospitals apologises that any patient has to be wait to be admitted. Patients are reminded to keep the ED for emergencies only and to contact their GP or GP Out of Hours services in the first instance. Local Injury Units are open in Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday and 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday at St. John’s Hospital. Patients aged 5 years+ with minor injuries; for example suspected broken bones in arm or lower leg, sprains, strains, minor scalds, burns or cuts are encouraged to visit their Local Injury Units for treatment”.
