Restrictions to remain in place at University Hospital Limerick due to 'unprecedented' overcrowding
THE UL Hospitals Group has confirmed that restrictions introduced at University Hospital Limerick over the weekend are to remain in place as it deals with unprecedented levels of attendance.
There is a ban on visitors at the hospital and the number of outpatient clinics has been dramatically reduced as the hospital prioritises care for inpatients and patients attending the Emergency Department.
The Hospital Crisis Management Team met this Tuesday and decided the current restrictions should remain in place - subject to daily review.
"These measures follow an unprecedented level of ED attendance driven by a surge in patients with respiratory infections, including Covid-19, flu and RSV," said a spokesperson.
UL Hospitals says there are a number of exemptions to the outpatient cancellations and that some clinics will go ahead on Wednesday.
These include appointments for cancer services, Dialysis, Paediatric outpatients and the Acute Fracture Unit. Appointments deemed time-critical in other specialties will also go ahead.
Patients affected by the cancellations are being contacted directly and those who are not contacted by phone or by text to cancel their appointment are advised to attend.
Other hospitals are unaffected by these cancellations and patients with an appointment for an outpatient clinic at Ennis, Nenagh, St John's, Croom Orthopaedic and University Maternity Hospital Limerick are advised to attend.
Given the high number of patients with flu and Covid-19 and a number of ongoing outbreaks, all visiting to UHL has been restricted with a number of limited exceptions.
"We regret the distress or inconvenience our visiting ban causes for patients and their loved ones, but it is necessary given the high levels of flu and Covid-19," said a spokesperson.
Meanwhile, the HSE is advising anyone attending ED with a less urgent condition that they are going to face an exceptionally long wait for care.
"We urge the public to consider all available healthcare alternatives to ED. Less acutely unwell patients are asked to first consider our Injury Units, GPs, out-of-hours GP services and pharmacists before attending ED," said a spokesperson.
Injury Units in St John's, Ennis and Nenagh hospitals are operating as normal.