A GRADUAL resumption of day hospital surgeries has started in the University of Limerick Hospitals Group after elective procedures were cancelled last month because of patient overcrowding at the University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
A spokesman for the Hospitals Group told the Limerick Post that elective day surgery had resumed in Nenagh Hospital from February 7 with Ennis Hospital following suit.
However, worrying levels of patient overcrowding continued at UHL this week with 82 patients on trolleys in the Dooradoyle hospital’s emergency department and wards yesterday (Tuesday).
“Both Nenagh and Ennis hospitals continue to provide surge bed capacity to assist with the management of high numbers of inpatients across our sites,” the spokesman said.
“Elective activity also continues at UHL, St John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, and patients are being contacted directly to confirm attendance.
“Any cancellations are deeply regretted, but have been necessary in the interests of keeping hospital services safely open for time-critical cases and patients most in need of immediate care,” he added.
Any affected patients “will be rescheduled as soon as possible”.
He said that outpatient clinics and endoscopy at Ennis and Nenagh hospitals were continuing as scheduled, and patients are advised to attend for those appointments.
“Outpatient clinics are also running as scheduled at UHL, St John’s, Croom and University Maternity Hospital Limerick.
“Elective work at UHL did not resume until the third week of January. To date, there have been 46 cancellations of elective surgery at UHL,” he added.
