The UL Hospitals Group is urging the public to consider all alternative options before presenting at UHL’s Emergency Department.
It comes as more than 100 patients have been recorded on trolleys at Dooradoyle every day so far this week.
Over the last nine days, an average of 238 patients have presented to the ED, in excess of the record 219 daily attendances experienced last year.
Injury Units and Medical Assessment Units at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s are also experiencing an increase in demand.
In the same timeframe each hospital experienced an average of 166 Injury Unit attendances and 54 MAU attendances.
This compares to 121 Injury Unit attendances and 35 MAU attendances last year.
In a statement to Clare FM, ULHG say that an escalation plan is in place to maximise capacity across their facilities.
Measures taken on a daily basis include opening surge capacity across all sites, transferring patients on trolleys to inpatient wards, and additional ward rounds by medical teams to expedite discharges or identify patients suitable for transfer.
However UHLG is also seeking public assistance in ensuring emergency care is prioritised for the sickest, most seriously injured and frailest patients by considering all the options available to them.
Patients suffering breaks, minor burns and other less acute injuries are advised to present at their local injury units where they will be treated in a fraction of the time.
LIU’s at Ennis and Nenagh operate from 8am to 8pm seven days a week, while St. Johns Hospital is open from 8am to 7pm.
Although anyone who is seriously injured or ill, or worried their life may be at risk, will be assessed for treatment in the Emergency Department as a priority.
The UL Hospitals Group has apologised to all patients lengthy wait times at the ED.
In response to a ClareFM query, the UL Hospital Group has released a statement
University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has been experiencing exceptionally high demand in recent days.
Our teams are working hard to ensure emergency care is available for our patients. The ED is open 24/7 and delivering urgent care to those who need it most.
Anyone who comes to the ED but who doesn’t have a life-threatening or severe illness or injury may face a significant wait.
A total of 256 patients attended our ED on Monday and a further 261 patients on Tuesday. Over the last nine days, an average of 238 patients have presented to the ED, in excess of the record 219 daily attendances experienced last year.
Injury Units and Medical Assessment Units in our model 2 hospitals at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s are also experiencing an increase in demand. Over the last nine days, we have seen an average of 166 Injury Unit attendances and 54 MAU attendances in these three hospitals. This compares to 121 Injury Unit attendances and 35 MAU attendances last year. It is encouraging to see this increase in demand for services available in our model 2 hospitals as more patients choose alternatives to the ED.
Management and staff are working hard to manage the increase in demand and we also work to our escalation plan to maximise capacity across our hospitals. Measures taken on a daily basis include opening surge capacity across all sites; transferring patients on trolleys to our inpatient wards; additional ward rounds by medical teams to expedite discharges or identify patients suitable for transfer to Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals; and working closely with our colleagues in HSE Mid West Community Healthcare in order to expedite discharges.
We apologise to anyone who has had a long wait for admission to University Hospital Limerick in recent days We thank the public for their patience and support at this time of exceptionally high demand for our services.
At the same time, we ask the public to support us in ensuring emergency care is prioritised for the sickest, most seriously injured and frailest patients.
Choosing appropriate care
Everyone in the area can help reduce pressure on the ED by considering all the options available to them if they need medical attention. These are listed those below.
However, the public should be assured that anyone who is seriously injured or ill, or worried their life may be at risk, will be assessed for treatment in the Emergency Department as a priority.
Where should people go for care?
We ask everyone in the area to understand the available care options and to avoid the ED except in cases of severe or life-threatening illness or injury.
This will really help us prioritise urgent care for those who need it most. At the same time, you’ll be treated in a fraction of the time you would have spent at the ED.
For breaks, burns and other minor injuries
Injury Units treat broken bones, dislocations, sprains strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns. They are open seven days a week in:
Ennis, 065 686 3121, V95 HN29: 8am to 8pm
Nenagh, 067 42311, E45 PT86: 8am to 8pm
St John’s, Limerick, 061 462 222, V94 H272: 8am to 7pm.
For other less serious illness or conditions
Contact your GP or out-of-hours GP services or talk to your local pharmacist.
