Letterkenny hospital at full capacity as emergency department under strain

Letterkenny University Hospital is at full capacity with people facing long wait times to be admitted.

Some elective procedures are being postponed in a bid to alleviate the pressure, which is exacerbated by a Covid-19 outbreak.

The emergency department at LUH has been ‘extremely busy’ over recent days, the Saolta University Health Care Group said in a statement.

On Tuesday alone, 198 people attended the ED and similarly high numbers were experienced on Wednesday. At the moment, there are 86 patients in the ED with 17 awaiting admission.

There are currently 11 Covid-19 positive patients being treated at LUH with two wards in outbreak. 

Where a ward is affected by Covid-19 visiting is limited and all visits must be pre-arranged by the family members or nominated visitor, who should contact the relevant ward or unit in advance.  

“All available beds in the hospital are in use,” a statement said. “Patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward. 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.

“Due to the pressures on the site and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is postponing some elective procedures. Urgent, time sensitive cases are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.”

The hospital says it is “committed to treating everyone who presents at the ED” but noted that it does so “strictly in order of medical priority”. 

The statement added: “The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.

“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.

“Please do not visit the hospital if you have any Respiratory symptoms or have had contact with someone who has COVID-19.

“Visitors are advised that they must use the alcohol hand gels regularly while at the hospital, face masks are also available for use throughout the hospital.”