In early January, all but very urgent and time critical inpatient and day surgery was curtailed in Mayo University Hospital (MUH ).
In light of very significant pressure in the hospital caused by Covid-19 and high community infection rates, the hospital this week announced it is now necessary to continue the current restrictions to ensure patient safety and wellbeing. The deferrals will be for a further two-week period and will be kept under review.
Outpatient clinics will also be restricted, however some of these will take place virtually - unless it is absolutely necessary for patients to be seen.
Catherine Donohoe, Hospital Manager at MUH said: "We understand that these deferrals may be disappointing and frustrating for patients but this is an important measure to enable the hospital to maintain critical and emergency services.
"There are many very sick people in Mayo University Hospital and the impact of a surge of cases in the community will be reflected in hospital admissions over the coming days. As of 8pm on Sunday evening, there were 92 patients in MUH with Covid-19 and three patients requiring Critical Care.
"A small number of procedures where patients require time critical or urgent cancer care will proceed as scheduled. Patients will be notified directly if their appointment is being deferred, we apologise for the inconvenience this may cause, please bear with us as we all hold firm."
She continued: "Visiting restrictions remain in place at the hospital. Members of the public should not visit the hospital except on compassionate grounds and these visits must be arranged in advance with the nurse manager on the ward.
"Mayo University Hospital continues to be extremely busy, the public are reminded to only attend the Emergency Department in case of emergencies. Please contact your GP during normal surgery hours or the Westdoc GP out of hours service if your health problem is not an emergency."
