PATIENTS in need of treatment for minor injuries will be sent to St John Hospital if they present at the emergency department in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) even though the city hospital is experiencing low staff numbers.
A spokesman for the UL Hospital Group confirmed that St John’s Hospital has seen staffing numbers drop, either because staff have caught the Covid-19 virus or because they are self-isolating with symptoms.
The staff shortages are also affecting the number of patients who have been admitted to hospital through the emergency department in Dooradoyle but are waiting on trolleys for a bed.
Yesterday (Wednesday) there were 16 patients waiting for beds after weeks of the count being in single figures.
The spokesman said, “we continue to see a steady number of COVID-19 related hospital admissions, including patients who require intensive care.
“In addition, we have seen an increasing number of non-Covid-19 related medical and surgical admissions in recent days. This follows a number of weeks in which there was a significant reduction in the number of patients presenting with non-Covid related complaints.
“While it is positive that these patients are now seeking medical attention, our clinicians are reporting that some patients have delayed seeking help and, as a result, will require a longer stay in hospital.
“Another factor impacting on bed capacity and patient flow is that St John’s Hospital is currently unable to accept transfers from UHL. This is due to a significant number of staff at St John’s who are off work and self-isolating after testing positive for, or coming into contact with confirmed cases of Covid-19.
“This measure has been taken in the interests of patient and staff safety and we are working closely with management in St John’s to ensure the timely return to work of these staff in line with the national guidelines and to ensure St John’s is available to again accept transfers from UHL as soon as possible.”
St John’s Injury Unit continues to operate as normal seven days a week from 8am to 7pm, with injury clinics in Ennis and Nenagh on duty seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.
Outside those times, patients can go to the emergency department at UHL.
