Day surgery has been cancelled at Ennis Hospital today due to the high level of overcrowding at the region’s main hospital.
It comes as the UL Hospital’s Group is asking the public to consider all other care options before presenting to the emergency department at the region’s main hospital.
Meanwhile, HIQA has commenced a two-day unannounced inspection at the hospital today.
Overcrowding at the region’s main hospital remains extremely high today, with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation recording 96 on trolleys this morning.
It comes as 109 patients were left waiting for a bed at University Hospital Limerick on Monday – the highest number so far this year and the fifth-highest number on record.
A total of 246 patients presented to the Emergency Department yesterday, following a busy weekend when UHL and other sites were busy managing a high number of inpatients, many of whom are very sick.
The UL Hospital’s Group has cancelled day surgery at Ennis Hospital today so that staff can concentrate on the care needs of the sickest patients in the region presenting in significant numbers to the Emergency Department at UHL.
Elective activity is continuing on at all other hospitals in the region today.
ULHG is apoligising for any inconvenience or anxiety caused to patients in Clare, with the decision to be reviewed on a daily basis.
Medical teams are undertaking additional ward rounds to identify patients suitable for transfer to Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals.
In the interim, people are asked to consider all other care options such as Ennis injury unit, GP’s, out-of-hours GP services and pharmacists before attending ED.
