The Saolta Healthcare Group says actions are underway at Letterkenny University Hospital to alleviate the waiting times for patients requiring hospital admission.
In a statement issued to Ocean FM News, a spokesperson says the Emergency Department is extremely busy this week.
In the last two days alone almost 300 patients have attended the Letterkenny University hospital’s Emergency Department.
This figure is significantly higher than the average number which ranges between 105 and 115 patients per day.
They say the hospital has admitted a significant number of ill patients recently, many of whom remain in the ED awaiting a bed.
The statement goes on to say, a plan has been put in place to alleviate the waiting times for patients requiring hospital admission and that this includes additional reviews and early discharges.
The healthcare group is encouraging the public to only attend the Emergency Department in the case of, what they describe as, real emergencies and that people should contact their GP or GP Out-of-Hours service in the first instance.
Saolta says it regrets the delays experienced by patients and have thanked the staff who they say are working extremely hard during this busy and difficult time.
