Trolley numbers at the region’s main hospital are nearing record levels once again today.
The latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show 80 patients were left on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick this morning.
Of those; 60 of those were in the emergency department alone.
It’s 30 more than the next busiest facility of Cork University Hospital, while there were no patients on trolleys at Ennis General this morning.
Today’s figure of 80 is just shy of the all-time high of 82, recorded just two weeks ago.
The UL Hospitals Group is now urging members of the public to consider all care options before attending the ED today, while patients waiting a long time in Limerick are being transferred to other hospitals within the group.
The statement goes on to say that today’s high volume of patients follows a busy 48 to 72 hours in the hospital.
UL Hospitals Group Statement
UL Hospitals Group is urging members of the public to consider all care options before attending the Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) today, Tuesday October 15.
The hospital is managing high volumes of patients that have arisen due to a busy 48-72 hours in the Emergency Department.
We apologise to those patients who are experiencing lengthy waits for beds, and we would like to reassure them, and their families, that we are working to alleviate the situation. We are appropriately transferring patients to other hospitals in our Group and are working with the MidWest Community Healthcare to access appropriate beds within the community.
All patients are receiving expert medical care and every effort is being made to make their stay as comfortable as possible.
Meanwhile, we urge people to consider all available care options and not attend the ED at UHL unless absolutely necessary. It is crucial that the ED be kept for emergencies only.
People may attend a GP or out-of-hours GP service for referral to an Assessment Unit the following day if required. Local Injury Units (LIUs) are open at Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals (8am-8pm every day) and St John’s Hospital (8am-6pm, Monday to Friday) for treatment of broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns.
If you are seriously injured or ill, or are worried that your life is at risk, the ED will assess and treat you as a priority.
