Significant reductions in scheduled care are in effect across UL Hospitals’ Group until further notice as the group manage high volumes of patients through our Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
There were 127 patients waiting for beds at UHL on Wednesday, which is a very high figure during the summer months.
Demand for emergency care at present is adversely affecting wait times and patient experience and at a meeting of the executive management team this Wednesday, attended by the Regional Executive Officer, Ms Sandra Broderick, a number of measures were agreed upon to de-escalate the UHL site, reduce wait times and improve patient flow.
This has resulted in the deferral of elective inpatient and day surgery, endoscopy and outpatient appointments until further notice at UHL, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital.
Services at University Maternity Hospital Limerick continue as normal and patients there are advised to attend for their appointments.
In a statement issued to the Clare Champion, the group regret the impact this decision will have on patients waiting for surgery, appointments and investigations; and all affected patients are being contacted directly by hospital staff.
These appointments will be rescheduled as soon as possible. In line with our escalation plan, we are currently prioritising care for our sickest patients and the group sincerely regret the significant reduction in services across its hospitals.
The Emergency Department at UHL remains open 24-7 for emergency cases and emergency and trauma surgery is continuing. Injury Units and medical assessment units at Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s hospitals are all operating as normal.
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.