The Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Galway (UHG) is extremely busy with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.
Yesterday 324 people attended the hospital’s ED. There were 33 patients on trolleys this morning. Additional surge areas are also in use across the hospital.
Hospital management say they are 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, they say, with priority given to those who are seriously ill or injured. Patients who do not require urgent care unfortunately may experience longer waiting times.
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.
Due to these ongoing pressures and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is reviewing elective procedures. Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.