Almost all elective activity has been deferred at University Hospital Limerick, as the hospital manages a sustained surge in emergency presentations coupled with a significant increase in Covid-19 activity.
It comes as a visiting ban remains in place at the region’s main hospital.
University Hospital Limerick has moved to its highest level of escalation, which means that emergency and time-critical care for the sickest patients is being prioritised.
Services at Ennis, Nenagh, St John’s and Croom Ortopaedic Hosptials, as well as University Maternity Hospital Limerick, are largely unaffected.
Patients in these hospitals are advised to attend for their appointments or procedures unless contacted directly and advised otherwise.
The UL Hospitals Group says it sincerely regrets the significant reduction in service at UHL and that affected patients will be contacted as soon as possible to reschedule their appointments and procedures.
The Emergency Department remains open around the clock for emergency cases, while emergency and trauma surgery is continuing.
There are a limited number of exceptions to the cancellations, with appointments going ahead in areas such as cancer services, the Heart Failure Clinic and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Dialysis, the Fracture Clinic and Pediatric outpatient clinics.
A visiting ban also remains in place at UHL, as hospital management and staff continue to manage high volumes of patients, including 89 who are positive for Covid-19.
The ban on visitors also applies to patients attending the Emergency Department.
People are being encouraged to consider their care options before attending the ED, such as their GP or GP out of hours service, local pharmacies and the Local Injury Unit at Ennis General Hospital.
Further information from the UL Hospitals Group
Appointments going ahead at this time include:
-Cancer services (oncology and haematology day ward; haematology and oncology outpatient clinics; medical oncology clinics; rapid access clinics for breast, lung and prostate)
-Dialysis
-Breast radiology
-Heart Failure Clinic (ANP clinic) and Cardiac Rehabilitation
-Clinical Age Assessment Unit (Blood pressure, Syncope, Falls Unit, DEXA Unit)
-Rapid Access Medical Unit (DVT, diabetes, epilepsy, anticoagulant, warfarin, respiratory, fibroscan)
-Nurse-led outpatient clinics
-Dermatology outpatients
-Bronchoscopy outpatients
-Cardiology diagnostics
-OPAT (outpatient therapy)
-Fracture Clinic
-Paediatric outpatient clinics
-Endoscopy
Exceptions to the visiting ban include:
-parents visiting children in hospital
-people assisting confused patients; for example, dementia
-visiting on compassionate grounds; for example, for patients who are critically unwell or at end of life
Exemptions are limited to one person per patient and will be looked at on a case-by-case basis.
The Local Injury Units at Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals (8am-8pm daily), and St John’s Hospital (8am-6pm, Monday to Friday) are an excellent option for treatment of broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns, without a lengthy wait that can be expected in the ED at this time. However, please note that if you are seriously injured or ill or are worried your life is at risk, the ED will assess and treat you as a priority.
