Management at Sligo University Hospital has confirmed in a statement that the facility is under significant pressure due to COVID outbreaks and high numbers of people attending the Emergency Department.
In a statement to OceanFM news, Hospital management says they are currently managing five COVID outbreaks, and as a result, members of the public are asked to be extra vigilant if visiting.
Anyone feeling unwell is requested to stay away.
The Emergency Department has witnessed a very high attendance rate over the past few days which has led to long delays before patients have been attended to.
Reminders have been issued stating that Emergency Departments are for people with a serious injury or life-threatening emergency.
The Hospital says they are committed to treating everyone who presents in the ED but patients will be seen strictly in order of medical priority.
The public has been asked to consider other options for non-emergency care such as ‘Out of Hours GP’ and pharmacies before attending the Emergency Department.
North West residents are reminded Roscommon Injury Unit is open from 8 am to 8 pm every day, including Christmas Day, and treats breaks, sprains, minor wounds, and burns for patients over 5 years old.
The statement goes on to say that 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.
Finally, Grainne Mc Cann, Hospital Manager at Sligo University Hospital has warned that there is a risk that some visitors will bring infectious illnesses into the hospital and put our vulnerable patients at risk.
