THE HSE this Tuesday afternoon urged patients across the Mid West to “consider all care options” before attending the emergency department (ED) at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), which yesterday saw a record 325 patients present – the highest number ever recorded at the regularly overcrowded hospital.
A spokesman for the hospital said that the appeal comes as UHL is experiencing an “unprecedented level of demand” at the overcrowded emergency department (ED) and called on those in need of treatment in the region to consider all options open to them.
The spokesman added that “surge capacity has been opened at UHL and scheduled activity in UHL and across all sites is under review, with the exception of urgent and time-critical patients, including cancer patients”.
According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), there were 118 patients waiting on trolleys for an in-hospital bed this morning at UHL, 52 in the ED and 66 on wards elsewhere.
The figure, recorded this morning by INMO, was the highest reported by the union at the hospital since early August 7 (when 127 were left waiting on trolleys) – the same day the hospital announced a weeks-long suspension of scheduled care because of demand on the ED “adversely affecting wait times and patient experience”.
The hospital has since said that the “reset” was part of an overall plan to accommodate sick patients, and could be repeated if severe pressure on the ED resumed.
Today, with the ED facing “unprecedented demand” and a record 325 patient presentations on Monday according to UHL, the spokesman for the hospital said: “We are appealing to the public to consider all care options before presenting at our emergency department.”
“We have been caring for an exceptionally high number of unwell medical patients in the hospital, which yesterday (Monday October 7) recorded its highest ever level of ED presentations, with 325 patients attending.”
The hospital apologised for long waits in admission in recent days, adding that “the ED remains open 24/7 and urgent care is being delivered to those who need it most. However, anyone who comes to ED who doesn’t have a life-threatening or severe illness or injury will face a significant wait.”
“We encourage the public across Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary to make use of all available alternatives to ED, including local pharmacies for minor ailments; family doctors and out-of-hours GP services; and the Injury Units at Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s Hospitals.”
