Planned care to resume at UHL and all Mid-West hospitals

UL HOSPITALS Group (ULHG) have announced that planned care is to gradually resume at the five hospitals in the Mid-West.

Significant reductions were announced on August 8 by the group to reduce overcrowding and decongest the University Hospital Limerick (UHL) site.

Since the reductions were introduced, overcrowding at UHL's emergency department have fallen significantly.

Just 54 admitted patients are waiting for beds in UHL this Tuesday morning, August 27, according to today’s INMO Trolley Watch figures.

120 patients were without beds at UHL on August 8, when the reductions were introduced.

"We can confirm that outpatient clinics have now resumed at all five affected hospitals – UHL, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital," a statement from ULHG read.

Read Also: Limerick rugby player with 'exceptional talent' charged in court for alleged 'car-jacking'

Inpatient and day case activity, as well as endoscopy services are also resuming across all five hospitals.

"This resumption of scheduled care is being managed within available resources and is subject to daily review in line with our escalation plan," the statement continued.

"This plan allows for reductions in scheduled care when there are significant surges in activity through our Emergency Department which present challenges in patient flow and adversely affect patient experience.

"We regret when any patient has their planned procedure or investigation cancelled. Affected patients are contacted directly by our staff and are rescheduled as soon as possible."