University Hospital Galway is advising that visiting restrictions remain in place due to influenza and COVID-19 outbreaks on site.
The hospital was also extremely busy on Monday and Tuesday with long wait times at the Emergency Department.
UHG is seeing a significant increase in COVID-19 positive admissions and attendances, while also dealing with high volumes of non-Covid patients. There are 61 patients with COVID-19 being treated in the hospital today.
Outbreak
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The hospital is currently dealing with a flu outbreak impacting two wards and a COVID-19 outbreak affecting two further wards. Visiting to the affected wards is limited to compassionate grounds only and these visits should be arranged in advance with the nurse manager on the ward.
Given the severe impact of both Covid and flu on patients, the hospital is appealing to the public not to visit the site if they have symptoms. Flu is more severe in people aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, and anyone with a long-term medical condition. Anyone carrying the flu virus can spread it for 1-2 days before developing symptoms and up to 5 days after symptoms develop.
Difficulties
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In addition, the Emergency Department is very busy and people are experiencing long waiting times on trolleys before being admitted to a bed on a ward. At 2pm on Monday, there were 53 patients on trolleys waiting for a bed. The ongoing pressure on bed availability has also resulted in a number of elective procedures being postponed and patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.
The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and would like to apologise for the inconvenience and distress caused. All available beds in the hospital are in use.
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. If your health problem is not an emergency you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours or the Westdoc GP out of hours service, in the first instance.
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For minor injuries, the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm every day to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.
People who have outpatient or other appointments at the hospital are advised to attend their appointment unless contacted by a member of staff from the hospital and told otherwise.
People with COVID-19 symptoms should call the number on their appointment letter to rearrange their appointment.
