The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway is extremely busy with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to the hospital for ongoing treatment.
On Monday, July 28, 272 people attended the Emergency Department (ED ), resulting in 55 admissions. As of Tuesday morning, there were currently 28 patients in the Emergency Department and a further 20 patients on trolleys at ward level. Additional surge beds were also opened.
The hospital is advising that patients who attend the ED for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times.
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, the hospital is postponing some elective procedures. Urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.
As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs 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 ED; people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority, and those who do not require urgent care may wait longer.
With the bank holiday weekend approaching and the Galway Races taking place this week, there will be higher-than-usual numbers of people in Galway. Therefore, it is requested that people only attend the ED at the hospital if it is an emergency. People should attend their GP or out-of-hours services in the first instance if at all possible. The Roscommon Injury Unit is also open from 8am to 8pm daily, to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over the age of five.
All visitors to the hospital will be required to practice good hand hygiene and use hand gel regularly. Face masks are available for use throughout the hospital.
People should check the HSE website for useful advice on common illnesses such as colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats and keeping well.
