UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick is asking people to keep its emergency department services free for patients who need them most.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, a spokesperson for the UL Hospitals Group said that University Hospital Limerick has been experiencing a high number of patients attending its emergency department in recent days.
“We have admitted a lot of seriously ill patients recently, many of who remain in the emergency department awaiting a bed. In addition there is an outbreak of ‘Norovirus’ the winter vomiting bug, resulting in the closure of a number of beds which is causing additional problems in admitting patients already in the hospital.
“We are asking people to think about all their care and treatment options and keep the emergency department services for the patients who need them most.
“For example, many patients with limb injuries can go to an Injury Unit in Ennis, Nenagh or St John’s Hospital. 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. Others with a less serious illness can be treated by their family doctors or out-of-hours GP service where their GP can refer them to an Assessment Unit the following day if required.
“However, if you are seriously injured or ill or are worried your life is at risk the emergency department will assess and treat you as a priority”, the statement concluded.
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