The Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Galway has been extremely busy over the past few days with high numbers of people attending.
Many of the attendances patients are very sick and need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Some 201 people attended the Emergency Department yesterday, and there is ongoing pressure on bed availability in the hospital.
Saolta has said it regrets that many patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the ED to an acute bed in the hospital.
There are currently 49 people awaiting admission at the hospital.
The hospital is also dealing with a significant increase in COVID-19 presentations and admissions. There are currently 16 COVID-19 positive patients being treated at GUH with 2 wards affected with COVID-19 outbreaks.
Saolta said they are committed to treating everyone who presents at the ED but they do so strictly in order of medical priority.
The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.
 at University Hospital Galway has been extremely busy over the past few days with high numbers){kind=link}