by Louise Doyle
LETTERKENNY University Hospital had 50 patients on trolleys yesterday – the fourth highest number in the country.
On Tuesday, three wards of LUH were treating 14 patients with a Covid-19 outbreak.
Two wards (19 patients) had a flu outbreak.
Latest Trolley Watch figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show 654 patients were waiting for beds nationally yesterday morning.
Fifty patients were on trolleys in LUH, 24 of whom in the hospital’s emergency department.
On Tuesday, hospital management issued a warning for people not to come to the hospital unless absolutely necessary.
The call came amid a high level of attendances on Monday, when 159 patients attended the emergency department.
Hospital Manager, Sean Murphy urged people to consider other pathways before attending the emergency department.
“Emergency Departments are for people with a serious injury or life-threatening emergency and those with less urgent needs will be waiting a long time to be seen. We continue to request that people consider other options for non-emergency care such as Out of Hours GP and pharmacies before attending an ED,” he said.
Management apologised to patients and their families for any distress caused.
“We acknowledge that long delays are very difficult and we are doing everything we can to optimise the flow of patients through the hospital.
“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.”
“Visiting is limited in wards affected by outbreaks and visitors to all other areas of the hospital should be mindful of public health advice.”
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