Patients warned of long wait times at UHG

Pressure on beds impacts elective procedures

PATIENTS are being warned to expect long wait times if attending the Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway today (Tuesday).

Yesterday 245 people attended the Emergency Department. As of this morning, there are 31 patients on trolleys in the Emergency Department and 12 patients on ward trolleys.

All available beds in the hospital are in use and patients are waiting a long time on trolleys before getting a bed on a ward.

The ED is extremely busy with high numbers of people attending who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.

The hospital is advising patients who don’t need urgent care to expect longer waits. Priority will be given to urgent cases, those who are seriously ill or injured.

The hospital is implementing all possible measures to improve patient flow and reduce delays in the Emergency Department and is asking the public to consider all available healthcare options before attending.

Efforts are also being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds will become available.

Elective procedures may be postponed

As a result of the shortage of beds, elective procedures are being reviewed. Patients will be contacted if their procedure is postponed, and urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being prioritised.

“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.

“We 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,” the hospital said in a statement.