BREAKING: University Hospital Limerick in surge capacity due to ‘exceptionally high demand’
Patients and service users urged to use all available alternative services where possible
UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick (UHL) is "currently experiencing exceptionally high demand with a significant number of admitted patients being accommodated on trolleys".
A UHL spokesperson said in a statement to media this Sunday morning: "We are urging patients and service users to use all available alternative services where possible. Injury units and out-of-hours GP services are fully operational and can provide care for non-life-threatening conditions.
"The Emergency Department at UHL is open 24-7 for patients with life-threatening emergencies however patients with less urgent injuries or illnesses are likely to wait substantial waiting times."
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There were 127 patients on trolleys in UHL on Friday, according to the INMO's Trolley Watch. Sixty two patients were on trolleys in the Emergency Department with 65 people on trolleys in other wards. The hospital with the second highest number of patients on trolleys on Friday was Sligo with 48.
"We thank the public for their patience at this time of exceptionally high demand for hospital services, and ask them to continue supporting us in ensuring emergency care is prioritised for the sickest, most seriously injured and frailest patients.
"Our injury units are open 8am to 8pm at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals with overall patient experience times averaging less than two hours.
"Surge capacity is open across our hospital sites and additional staff are rostered at weekends to increase discharges."
The UHL spokesperson apologised to every patient who is "currently facing an unacceptably long waiting time for a bed and our staff are doing everything possible to provide the best possible care while they do wait".
"We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and sincerely thank all hospital staff for their professionalism, dedication, and compassionate care during this period of exceptional activity.
"We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary," concludes the statement from UHL.