Mayo University Hospital is under significant pressure today with a high level of admissions to the hospital leading to long waiting times in the ED.
There were 41 patients on trolleys at the Castlebar facility this morning waiting for beds according to today’s INMO Trolley Watch figures.
In a statement hospital management say that the high number of people attending the ED who need to be admitted for ongoing treatment means that there is pressure on bed availability.
“This is resulting in significant delays being experienced by patients in the ED who are waiting for a bed to become available on a ward.
There are currently a very high number of patients on trolleys in ED.
All available beds are in use. Every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready and safe to go home,so that beds will become available.
Given the pressures and lack of available beds, MUH is postponing most elective procedures. Urgent, time sensitive cases are being prioritised where possible. Patients are being advised directly and the situation is being kept under review.
We continue to request that people only attend the Emergency Department at the hospital if it is an emergency situation. We ask that people attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible.
As an alternative to the Emergency Department - for minor injuries - the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm every day to treat a range of injuries.
The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause”.
