HSE puts action plan in place to deal with Letterkenny General over-crowding

Management says the problem is in part as a result of the seasonal flux in hospital activity that traditionally takes place at this time of year.
In addition only a small number of patients are expected to be finished their treatment at hospital today and discharged.
The public is being asked to stay away from the  Emergency Department at Letterkenny General Hospital unless absolutely necessary.
Management say this is an extremely busy this week with above average numbers of very ill patients requiring admission to the hospital.
Management points out that Letterkenny General Hospital is still in post flood recovery mode and as such is operating with an interim Emergency Department with reduced capacity.
The public are reminded to keep the Emergency Department for emergencies and to contact their GP or GP Out of Hours services in the first instance.
The hospital says it is taking all steps to deal with the situation and the measures being put in place include deferral of most elective surgery.
Opening of all available wards for patient care.
Use of day services unit for inpatient care.
Ensuring there are no unnecessary delays for diagnostic tests for patients in our Emergency Departments and our wards;
Convalescence beds are being purchased when required from private nursing homes to facilitate discharge; and Working closely with all the hospitals in the Group – Sligo Regional Hospital, Galway University Hospitals,Roscommon Hospital, Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe and Mayo General Hospital – to ensure that capacity on all sites is maximised.