University Hospital Galway is under extreme pressure due to ED attendance and COVID-19, with full capacity protocol enacted at the hospital.
In a statement this morning, the Saolta Group said the emergency department has been extremely busy in the past week, with high numbers of people admitted needing further treatment.
There are also large number of patients on trolleys still awaiting assessment, and the hospital is in its full capacity protocol.
“In addition, there is pressure on bed availability in the hospital due to the number of patients with COVID-19 in the hospital.”
“There are currently 54 patients with COVID-19 being treated in the hospital,” a statement from Saolta said.
“Three wards in the hospital are dedicated to care for patients with COVID-19 and a further two wards are affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 which is limiting the availability of beds for patients coming in through the ED.”
“All available beds are in use. 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.”
“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 Saolta Group is also reminding people that the minor injuries unit at 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.
