by Bernie English bernie@limerickpost.ie
THE NUMBER of people waiting for admission to the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick has broken records for the third time in less than a week.
The waiting list at UHL was the second highest in the country and the highest outside Dublin for the second day running.
Last Friday, the number of patients hit a record high for 2015, with 56 patients waiting for admission, making the figures the highest in the country on both Thursday and Friday.
On Wednesday, there were 37 patients without beds, 22 in the emergency department and 13 in wards, according to the daily figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
The previous day, there were 33 patients waiting, 20 on trolleys and 13 in wards.
On Thursday last, after trolley watch figures showed 47 patients on trolleys, the HSE said that the number of patients presenting at the hospital was unusually high for this time of year.
“UL Hospitals Group apologises that any patient has to wait to be admitted. Delivery of the best possible care for patients is our priority from the moment of presentation. Staff across the Group are working hard to ensure the optimum care and safety of all our patients during this very busy period,” a statement from the hospital said.
“Amongst the factors contributing to the increase in pressure within the emergency department is the older age profile of patients presenting along with the complexity of issues they have. In addition, refurbishment work is underway in one of the in-patient wards to bring the facilities up to HIQA standards, with work due to be completed in November. The temporary closure of this ward means that the number of beds available for in-patients in UHL has been reduced.
The statement added said that the escalation plan has been enacted and among the measures taken to relieve pressure on the emergency department and reduce waiting times, are the transfer of suitable patients from UHL to Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital and St John’s Hospital; the transfer of appropriate patients to community care settings; and better communication with GPs to ensure patients are referred to the emergency department only where appropriate.
