DOCTORS at the University Hospital Limerick are anxious that people who may be suffering a stroke or heart attack should not put off seeking help because of the COVID-19 crisis.
A hospital spokesman said that the emergency department is open 24/7 for people who are seriously ill or injured and if their life is at risk.
“Stroke and heart attacks are life-threatening medical emergencies. If you or someone else is showing signs of a stroke or heart attack, don’t wait, call 999.”
The symptoms of a heart attack can include chest pain, pain in other parts of the body, shortness of breath, nausea, an overwhelming sense of anxiety, feeling light-headed, coughing, vomiting, and or wheezing.
Injury units at St John’s, Nenagh and Ennis are also available with extended opening hours for people who suffer burns, sprains, broken bones or other non-life threatening injuries.
A de-escalation of the region’s main acute hospital continues in anticipation of the COVID-19 surge
To support this redirection of minor injury work, the injury unit at St John’s is moving from five-day to seven-day opening. The facility will now open from 8am to 7pm on weekends and the unit’s weekday opening hours will also extend to 7pm every day.
Patients with minor injuries who feel they are also displaying the symptoms of coronavirus infection should continue to present at the emergency department in UHL. However, the only patients being swabbed in the emergency department will be those sick enough to require hospital admission.
Further information at www.hse.ie/injuryunits
