Clare patients urged to consider 'alternative care options' amid high pressure at UHL

HSE Mid-West is advising members of the public in Clare to 'consider alternative care options' as the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick is currently seeing high volumes of patients presenting.

Commenting this Monday afternoon a spokesperson said: "We are working to ensure that care is prioritised for the sickest patients. Additional consultants were rostered over the weekend to assist with discharges and suitable patients are also being identified for transfer to Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals as well as community settings."

HSE Mid-West says surgery is currently being limited to urgent cases only at UHL to help staff meet the increase in demand from medical patients associated with the high levels of flu and other respiratory illnesses currently circulating in the Mid-West.

"Patients who are seriously ill or injured or worried that their life is in danger must continue to attend the ED where they will be treated as a priority. Less acutely unwell patients can expect long waiting times in our ED and are asked to first consider our Injury Units, GPs, out-of-hours GP services and pharmacists before attending ED," said the spokesperson.

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Patients are being reminded that Injury Units are open in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals from 8am to 8pm, every day. 

Medical Assessment Units located in Ennis and Nenagh Hospital have recently expanded their operations to 16 hours a day, 8am to 12 midnight, seven days a week. They provide a direct referral pathway for GPs to secure prompt assessment and treatment of medical patients.

The Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick remains open 24-7 for patients with the most serious illnesses and injuries, including life-threatening emergencies. Anyone attending the ED with a less urgent condition may face long waiting times as the hospital continues to manage high attendances.

With flu continuing to circulate at high levels, face masks are now mandatory in UHL. Everyone attending or visiting UHL is asked to wear a face mask for the duration of their stay and these are widely available throughout the hospital.

In all other acute hospitals in the region (Ennis, Nenagh, St John’s and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital) and all residential facilities visitors are being encouraged to wear a face mask to protect themselves, patients and staff from the risk of infection.

HSE Mid-West is apologising to every patient who is currently experiencing a long wait for admission at UHL.