Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway busy today

The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway is extremely busy today and as a result has seen an increase in the number of patients waiting for admission.  This time of year is traditionally a busy period for hospitals and brings an anticipated increase in activity in Emergency Departments around the country. Much of this increase can be attributed to increases in the number of people suffering with flu and other seasonal illnesses common at this time of year.
 
Due to this increased level of activity and subsequent admissions, it is regrettable that some patients may experience a delay in being transferred from the Emergency Department to a Hospital bed.
 
The hospital is taking immediate steps to respond appropriately and the measures being put in place include:
 
·         Deferral of most elective surgery. We regret having to postpone any elective procedure and recognise that it can be distressing for the patients and their families;
·         Ensuring there are no unnecessary delays for necessary diagnostic tests for patients in our Emergency Departments;
·         All available bed capacity is being utilised;
·         Convalescence beds are being procured on a daily basis from private nursing homes to facilitate discharge; and
·         Working closely with all the hospitals in the Group to ensure that capacity on all sites is maximised.
 
Management at the hospital would like to advise people who are attending the Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway that they can expect delays today. We would encourage the public to visit the Emergency Department only in the case of real emergencies, and would also advise people to contact their GP or GP Out-of-Hours service in the first instance.
 
University Hospital Galway would like to apologise to all patients and their families for any distress caused as a result of the delays.
 
Roscommon University Hospital
Patients in the vicinity of Roscommon Hospital are reminded that the hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit is open in the Urgent Care Centre every day (including weekends) from 8am to 8pm.
 
The unit treats all minor injuries in adults, and in children of 5 years and over, including suspected broken bones (from knees to toes and from collar bone to finger tips); sprains and strains; facial injuries; minor burns and scalds; minor chest and head injuries; and wounds, bites, cuts, grazes and scalp lacerations.
 
Patients in the Minor Injuries Unit in Roscommon Hospital wait on average less than an hour in the department from registration at reception to discharge.
 
The charges are the same as for presentations at Emergency Departments, which means that there is no charge for medical cardholders or for patients with a valid medical/GP referral letter.
 
More information is available from (090) 663 2212/663 2211.