Emergency Departments in County Galway (University Hospital Galway and Portiuncula University Hospital ) extremely busy today Inbox

University Hospital Galway and Portiuncula University Hospital are extremely busy today (09 July) which has resulted in pressure on bed availability in the hospitals.

We regret that patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Departments to an acute bed. We know these delays are very difficult for our patients and their families.

We would like to remind the public that we encourage them to attend an Emergency Department only in the case of real emergencies. If your health problem is not an emergency you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours or the Westdoc GP Out of hours service, in the first instance.

We would also like to remind patients that the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.

We are committed to treating everyone who presents at our Emergency Departments but we do so strictly in order of medical priority and apologise for the long wait times.

As part of the hospital’s COVID-19 measures, we ask that patients wait in the ED alone to help maintain social distancing. A companion will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. This is to minimise the risk of infection and to keep everyone safe. We remind patients to please wear a face covering/mask when in the ED and to comply with any COVID-19 screening processes.