All out-patient appointments for University Hospital Limerick have been cancelled today.
Only urgent elective surgeries will go ahead at the hospital “over the coming days”, after a “major internal incident” was declared.
It comes as the HSE has issued an appeal to people seeking medical care or assessment to consider all options before going to a hospital Emergency Department.
A “major internal incident” was declared at University Hospital Limerick yesterday, due to unprecedented levels of attendance.
The UL Hospital’s group says the increased numbers have been driven by a surge in respiratory infections, including Covid-19, flu and RSV.
All out-patient appointments for the Dooradoyle facility have been cancelled today, with only urgent elective surgeries going ahead at the hospital “over the coming days”.
Visiting is also restricted, with the exception of parents visiting children, people assisting confused patients such as those with dementia or people visiting those who are critically unwell or at end of life.
The HSE expects this to be one of the busiest ever periods experienced by the health service.
It’s appealed to people to consider all options before going to hospital this week, including visit your local pharmacy if feeling unwell.
GPs are also running additional clinics during the time of high pressure.
The Health Service is advising that if you need to urgently see a GP outside their clinic hours, you can contact your local GP out-of-hours service.
While the Injury Unit at Ennis Hospital is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.
