Emergency department at GUH "extremely busy today"

The emergency department (ED) at University Hospital Galway is extremely busy today with very long waiting times, the HSE is warning.

In a statement this morning, the HSE said that high numbers of people are attending the emergency department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.

“On Saturday and Sunday,13th & 14th of September, 393 people attended the emergency department resulting in 82 admissions,” the statement said. “As of this morning there are currently 37 patients in the Emergency Department and a total of 62 patients on trolleys at ward level. Additional surge beds have also been opened over the weekend.

“The hospital is advising that patients who attend ED for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times.” 

All available beds in the hospital are in use and there is a high number of patients awaiting beds. Patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the emergency department to a bed on a ward. Every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity, the HSE said.

Due to these ongoing pressures and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is postponing some elective procedures. Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.

“As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised,” the HSE said.

“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.

“The hospital is committed to treating everyone who presents at the emergency department; people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer.

“We request that people only attend the emergency department at the hospital if it is an emergency situation. We ask that people attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible. The Roscommon Injury Unit is also open from 8am to 8pm daily, to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over the age of five.” 

All visitors to the hospital will be required to practice good hand hygiene and use hand gel regularly, face masks are available for use throughout the hospital.

People should check the HSE website for useful advice on common illnessestarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> such as colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats and keeping well.

-ENDS-