The UL Hospitals Group says it regrets that patients have faced long waits in the Emergency Department at the region's main hospital.
Additional measures are being put in place to relieve the stress on the ED, as overcrowding at ths hospital hits the highest ever level of any hospital in Ireland.
The latest figures from the INMO show 66 people were waiting for beds at University Hosptial Limerick this morning, 37 of those in the emergency department.
It's the highest ever level of overcrowding recorded at any hosptial in the country, and comes after the previous record of 58 was equalled at Dooradoyle yesterday.
In a statement to Clare FM this lunchtime, the UL Hospitals Group has outlined the pressures facing the system.
There are over 5,000 patients a month inthe Emergency Department, while 15 beds at St. John's are closed as recruitment to fill vacant nursing posts there continues.
From today, the operational hours of the Medical Assessment Unit at Limerick Regional are being extended by three hours a day to exclusively accomodate patients presenting at the ED.
Patients are also being reminded that the Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis is open from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm at the weekend.
Patients are also being transferred away from Dooradoyle and to other hosptials in the region, including Ennis.
Clare's Independent TD has described the latest bout of overcrowding at the hospital as "astonishing", warning that pay and conditions in the health sector will need to be addressed before the service improves.
The Government is facing into a series of mounting pay claims on behalf of public sector workers and Deputy Michael Harty believes this will have to be dealt with in a clear fashion, and fast.
