UHG overcrowding makes a nonsense of closing Portiuncula A&E

Full-capacity protocol was invoked as overcrowding reached crisis point at University Hospital Galway (UHG) this week – days after proposals for the closure of the A&E at Portiuncula Hospital emerged.
Non-urgent elective procedures were cancelled and the public was urged to visit the Emergency Department at UHG only in cases of real emergency. The hospital apologised to patients for distress caused by delays.
The coincidence of the latest overcrowding crisis with last Sunday’s revelation of recommendations relating to the closure of Portiuncula A&E has raised questions over whether UHG could cope in such an event.
The recommendation is contained in a leaked report of the Trauma Steering Group, which was set up by the Minister for Health to examine the treatment of trauma patients in Irish hospitals. The Minister has yet to receive the report.
The mooted closure of the A&E in Ballinasloe would likely result in trauma patients in east Galway travelling to UHG to receive emergency treatment.