THE Health Service Executive has advised the public that Letterkenny University Hospital is experiencing significant delays.
Patients have been warned that the bed capacity is at maximum use and that the emergency department issues mean some elective surgeries may be deferred.
The Donegal News today reported that over a dozen ambulances were delayed at the hospital’s emergency department this week.
A HSE spokesperson said today: “The hospital extremely busy with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.”
She added: “Yesterday, 175 people attended the emergency department.
“As of this afternoon, there are 17 patients on trolleys in the ED awaiting admission and all escalation and surge areas are at capacity.
“The hospital is implementing all possible measures to improve patient flow and reduce delays in the Emergency Department and is asking the public to consider all available healthcare options before attending.
“Everyone who presents will be treated, with priority given to those who are seriously ill or injured.
“Patients who do not require urgent care unfortunately may experience longer waiting times.”
The emergency bay at LUH on Monday evening with up to 14 ambulances waiting to admit patients from all over Donegal. At 9pm there were up to 14 HSE ambulances parked outside with doors open as medics awaited admission of their patients.
MAXIMUM CAPACITY
The HSE spokesperson confirmed that LUH is at maximum capacity and said: “All available beds in the hospital are in use.
“Patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the ED to a bed on a ward.
“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.
“Due to these ongoing pressures and the lack of bed capacity, we are reviewing some elective surgeries which may have to be deferred. Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised. Patients will contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.
“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.
“We 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.
“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.”
She added: “Community pharmacists provide expert advice and over-the-counter treatments for a wide range of minor illnesses.
“In addition to this expert advice, a new service is available which allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medication without the need to see a GP.
“The following common conditions can be treated under the Common Conditions Service; allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, cystitis (uncomplicated urinary tract infection), vaginal thrush.”