LUH statement: Outbreaks of influenza and Covid 19; long delays at Emergency Dept

LETTERKENNY University Hospital has reported separate outbreaks of influenza and Covid 19 and there are visiting restrictions in place for wards impacted.

Meanwhile the hospital’s Emergency Department is extremely busy this evening with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.

In a statement the hospital says it is managing separate outbreaks of influenza and Covid 19. 

Visiting is restricted on those wards affected by the outbreaks and visitors are advised to check with the wards before attending and adhering to mask wearing and good hand hygiene practices if visiting.

There are currently 132 patients in the emergency department with 19 patients on trolleys awaiting admission to an inpatient bed. 

On Monday, 185 people attended the Emergency Department and similar numbers are being experienced today. 

The hospital is advising that patients who attend ED for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times with priority given to those patients who are more acutely unwell.

Due to the pressures on the site and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is postponing some elective procedures. Urgent, time sensitive cases are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.

All available beds in the hospital are in use. Patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward. 

The hospital says 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.

The statement added: “As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend ED where they will be prioritised. 

“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause. 

“The hospital is committed to treating everyone who presents at the Emergency Department; people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer. 

“We continue to request that people only attend the Emergency Department at the hospital if it is an emergency situation. We ask that people attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible.”