Mayo University Hospital warns of ‘very long waiting times’
Mayo University Hospital (MUH) is currently under significant pressure, with an exceptionally high number of patients attending its Emergency Department (ED) this week.
Since Monday, over 350 people have attended the ED, with more than 100 patients requiring admission.
Hospital management is warning that those attending the ED will experience very long waiting times, and urgent patients will be prioritised.
The hospital is extremely busy and patients waiting to be admitted to a ward from the ED are also facing long waiting times.
MUH says that every effort is being made to ensure that patient flow, from admission to safe discharge, is effective, in order to improve capacity for patients waiting to be admitted.
A statement released earlier today by the HSE read: “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,
“As always, people who require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. Patients who can be managed in their GP practice or injury unit should use these options,
“The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and sincerely apologises for the inconvenience and acknowledges the distress these delays or cancelations cause.”
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.