The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway is extremely busy today with many patients experiencing long waiting times to be admitted to a ward for treatment.Â
The hospital has apologised to patients and their families for the delays in the emergency department.Â
Given the volume of patients attending the ED, the hospital is asking the public to contact their GP during normal surgery hours or the Westdoc GP Out of Hours service in the first instance if their health problem is not urgent.
In addition, the Injury Unit in 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.
UHG says that it is committed to treating everyone who presents at the ED – people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer.
The hospital has also asked that patients wait in the ED alone to help maintain social distancing.
A companion will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances, so as to minimise the risk of infection and to keep everyone safe.
