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Hospitals at Saolta University Health Care Group

Children, Infant and Pregnancy Loss Remembrance at Sligo University Hospital

 

Sligo University Hospital is once again holding a virtual service to remember children and infants who have died including pregnancy loss.

Maria White, Bereavement Support Midwife at the hospital said, “Unfortunately this year again we are unable to invite bereaved parents in person to attend our Remembrance Service.

Sligo University Hospital to implement changes to traffic flow

Sligo University Hospital is implementing changes to its traffic flow in order to enhance the patient’s journey when attending hospital and to facilitate ongoing works.

At present traffic backlogs occur to the front of the hospital entrance, leading to cars queuing on the Mall. This can result, in unsafe conditions for  patients and the public.

Sligo University Hospital to light up in pink and blue on Friday to mark Pregnancy and Infant Loss

Sligo University Hospital will be lighting up in pink and blue on Friday 15 October at 7pm to mark pregnancy and infant loss as part of an international event aimed at raising awareness of the issues affecting families who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or a baby.

Walk-in COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at Sligo Racecourse Vaccination Centre this week

COVID-19 vaccine clinics will commence at the Sligo Racecourse Vaccination Centre this week. There will be walk-in clinics and scheduled appointment clinics running at the new location.

The dates and times of the walk-in clinics are as follows:

Relocation of Sligo Vaccination Centre

The COVID-19 Vaccination Centre in Sligo is in the process of relocating from IT Sligo to the Sligo Racecourse and the first clinics are due to take place in the new location next week.

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Information for Open Water Swimmers, Surfers, Kayakers and all Cold Water Athletes

What is Surfer’s Ear?

Well for starters, it’s not just for surfers. In fact, all cold water athletes are at risk of developing the condition. Surfer’s Ear is a medical condition clinically known as External Auditory Canal Exostoses (EACE) or Exostoses, which is caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind.

Exostoses are formed in response to a continuous change of temperature within the ear canal. As cold water regularly swirls along the ear canal, the body responds by warming the affected area, this also stimulates bone-producing cells within the ear canal, which cause the bone surrounding the ear to develop a bony growth.

These benign bone growths can lead to infections, water trapping, hearing loss and complete closure of the ear canal if left untreated

The condition develops slowly over time and it may take 10 to 15 years for the symptoms to appear.

Cause?

Research shows that Surfer’s Ear is most likely in exposure to cold water below 19deg. In Ireland, the water is usually at its warmest in August and even then the average temperature ranges from 13 to 17 degrees. The bottom line is – the water in Ireland is always too cold for our ears!

Surfer's Ear Clinic

Doctors from Sligo University Hospital held a Surfer’s Ear clinic to raise awareness of the condition.         

 

 
What does Surfer’s Ear look like?

                                                                             

How do you protect your ears?

Wear earplugs.

The advice couldn’t be simpler; this truly is a practical and cost-effective way to reduce your risk of developing exostoses. Hearing loss associated with wearing earplugs was identified through our study as the main deterrent for athletes across all sporting disciplines. However, modern earplugs are not only discrete but also let sound in and keep water out.

What to do if you are worried?

Visit your GP and ask him/her to check your ears. Your GP may then refer you to your nearest hospital to see a specialist Ear Nose and Throat doctor to examine your ears further.

Research at Sligo University Hospital

A team of consultants, doctors and staff from the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department conducted a year-long project to examine Irish cold water athlete’s awareness and understanding of exostoses as well as athlete’s attitudes towards preventative measures such as wearing earplugs.

The ENT team held five “Surfer’s Ear Clinics” which examined almost 100 cold water athletes, concluding that 1 in 2 athletes had Surfer’s Ear.

The Irish Institute of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery provided Dr Seamus Boyle, ENT SpR at the hospital, with financial support in the form of a small grant to progress this research. The Institute plans to work with him to expand this project, as outlined by Professor Nash Patil in the video below:

                                                                                     

Questionnaire
Calling all triathletes, surfers, open water swimmers, sub aqua and non-water athletes –  help us with our research 'To Determine Water Athletes Awareness of Surfers Ear or Exostosis and Attitudes to wearing Ear Plugs', click here

 

Information coming soon