Letterkenny University Hospital is continuing to experience a high volume of patients at its Emergency Department today.
Over 150 people have attended the ED over the last three consecutive days – this is around 40% more than usual.
In a statement to Ocean FM news from the Saolta Healthcare Group today, it says following the high attendances, the hospital has admitted a significant number of ill patients, many of whom remain in the ED awaiting a bed.
The hospital says it is now prioritising those most in need of care and that this unfortunately may lead to delays for less urgent patients.
They say actions are continuing at the hospital to alleviate the waiting times for patients requiring hospital admission.
This includes additional reviews, early discharges and deferral of elective non-urgent procedures.
Patients are being reminded once again to only attend the ED in the case of what’s described as real emergencies.
According to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, there are 39 patients waiting on trolleys at the hospital today- making it the third worst in the country.
Meanwhile, there is 16 patients waiting on a bed at Sligo University Hospital.
