12 on trolleys at Ennis hospital

AN increase in respiratory and other illnesses has been blamed for a seasonal surge in admissions, which resulted in 12 in-patients being accommodated on trolleys at Mid-Western Regional Hospital Ennis on Wednesday.
The current overcrowding at Ennis hospital has prompted the Mid-West Health Service Executive to request Clare patients to avoid attending the hospital unless it is absolutely necessary.
A HSE spokesman confirmed on Wednesday evening that Ennis hospital was extremely busy coping with the seasonal rise in post-Christmas illnesses.
He said the increase in Norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, was putting acute hospitals throughout the country under strain at the moment.
Meanwhile, as a precaution, a full ban on visiting is in still in place at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle, Limerick to curb the winter vomiting bug.
Visiting to all wards at the hospital is prohibited with the exception of critically ill patients but in no circumstances should anyone attempt to visit a critically ill patient without first contacting nursing staff.
Only parents/guardians will be permitted in the Children’s Ark and children should be kept away from all areas of the hospital.
The hospital regrets this inconvenience but it is necessary to prevent the spread of these illnesses to both patients and staff. Where appropriate, mobile phone contact between families should be considered as an alternative to visiting. 
The hospital is also asking the public that only genuine emergencies should present at the emergency department (ED) and that where possible people should consult their GP before coming to the ED.