Limerick hospital confirms surge in children seeking care

UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick (UHL) says there has been a surge in children presenting in the last few days.

The hospital says the three days prior to Thursday were "marked" by high numbers of children attending the Dooradoyle facility, with more than 160 presenting in total.

They recorded 58 young people attending Monday, 50 on Tuesday and 58 again on Wednesday.

"On Thursday morning, surge capacity was open in the inpatient wards of the paediatric unit, and all beds in the day unit were full," a spokesperson for the hospital group confirmed.

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They also added following the 'Major Internal Incident' declared at the start of 2023 after record Emergency Department presentations, the group remains on "high alert".

"Services remain under pressure and our advice to the public remains to consider all healthcare options before attending ED.

"Patients who are seriously injured or unwell or who are worried their life is in danger must dial 112/999 or attend the ED. Less acutely unwell patients are asked to first consider our Injury Units, GPs, out-of-hours GP services and pharmacists before attending ED."

"We acknowledge the inconvenience that all patients and their loved ones experience during long waits for inpatient beds in our hospital, and we apologise to anyone who has been impacted at this time," they added.