Letterkenny University Hospital apologise ‘for the distress delays are causing’

The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital has experienced very high levels of attendances this week and there is significant pressure on bed availability - and have offered an apology.

Yesterday, Monday, 159 patients attended the ED and the hospital is seeing similar high numbers today. 

“Many of these patients are very sick, frail and elderly and need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment,” a statement from the hospital reads. Unfortunately some patients are waiting a long time to be admitted to a bed. As of this morning, there were 17 patients on trolleys awaiting admission to in-patient beds.

“We apologise to patients and their families for the distress these delays are causing. We acknowledge that long delays are very difficult and we are doing everything we can to optimise the flow of patients through the hospital.

“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.”

In addition to these pressures, LUH is managing five outbreaks of respiratory illnesses (flu and Covid-19). Visiting is limited in wards affected by outbreaks and visitors to all other areas of the hospital should be mindful of public health advice.

“As always, we are committed to treating everyone who presents at our ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority,” said Sean Murphy, LUH manager, who is appealing to the public to consider all care options before attending the ED.

“Emergency Departments are for people with a serious injury or life-threatening emergency and those with less urgent needs will be waiting a long time to be seen. We continue to request that people consider other options for non-emergency care such as Out of Hours GP and pharmacies before attending an ED.”