The UL Hospitals Group is once again asking people to consider all alternatives before presenting to the region’s main hospital this afternoon.
It comes amid continued high attendances at University Hospital Limerick’s emergency department.
The UL Hospitals Group says over the past 48 hours, daily attendances at the ED have averaged 246, compared with 205 on the equivalent days last year.
They say ‘a large number’ of frail, elderly patients, children, and other patients with complex care needs are currently being cared for in Dooradoyle.
People with less urgent care needs are being advised to expect long delays at the ED today.
The Group says it’s implementing its escalation plan, which includes identifying patients for transfer to Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals.
Patients who are seriously ill or injured or worried that their life is in danger are being asked to continue attending the ED where they’ll be treated as a priority.
The UL Hospitals Group is apologising to every patient who is currently experiencing a long wait for admission at UHL, and for what they say is ‘the inconvenience and frustration this also causes for patients’ loved ones’.
