The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital is extremely busy, with high numbers of people attending the department who need to be admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment.
153 people have attended the Emergency Department today. As of this morning, there are 11 patients on trolleys in the Emergency Department awaiting admission, and all escalation and surge areas are at capacity.
The HSE are asking that people contact their GP or their out-of-hours service in the first instance, if possible.
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.
Everyone who presents will be treated, with priority given to those who are seriously ill or injured. Patients who do not require urgent care unfortunately may experience longer waiting times.
All available beds in the hospital are in use, and every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity.
Due to these ongoing pressures and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is reviewing some elective surgeries which may have to be deferred 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 and requests that people only attend the Emergency Department at the hospital if it is an emergency situation.
