OVERCROWDING at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) accelerated again this week with 100 or more admitted patients waiting for a bed every day since Monday.
Today (Friday February 2) there were 112 patients on trolleys and in wards awaiting an in-hospital bed, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s (INMO) Trolley Watch. Figures across the week looked similar with 113 reported on Monday, 106 on Tuesday, 112 on Wednesday, and 100 on Thursday.
Despite winter flu and other viruses and associated respiratory problems having peaked according to national figures, the hospital is still treating a huge number of affected patients, particularly those in vulnerable age groups.
A spokesman for the hospital told the Limerick Post that it “continues to experience extremely high demand. In recent weeks we have been caring for an exceptionally high number of unwell medical patients associated with a surge in respiratory illnesses and who require admission to hospital”.
“Provisional data up to Tuesday January 30th confirms a daily average during the month of 227 patients attending ED. January’s highest attendance, 277 on Tuesday 2nd January, was well in excess of average daily ED presentations. Attendances exceeded 250 on eight days during the month.”
The spokesman said that in accordance with the ULHG Escalation Framework, surge capacity has been opened at UHL and across all hospitals in the group.
“Elective activity is being reviewed on a daily basis, and we are appealing to the public to consider all care options before presenting to the ED,” the spokesman said.
“Our teams are working hard to ensure emergency care is available for our patients. The ED is open 24/7 and delivering urgent care to those who need it most”.
He said that injury units and medical assessment units in Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s hospitals are also experiencing an increase in demand.
“It is encouraging to see this increase in demand for services available in our Model 2 hospitals as more patients choose alternatives to the ED,” the spokesman said.
“We apologise to anyone who has had a long wait for admission to University Hospital Limerick in recent days. We thank the public for their patience and support at this time of exceptionally high demand for our services.
“At the same time, we ask the public to support us in ensuring emergency care is prioritised for the sickest, most seriously injured and frailest patients”.
