Severe delays at Mayo University Hospital’s Emergency Department as patients remain on trolleys and surgeries postponed
Mayo University Hospital (MUH) has warned of extremely long wait times in its Emergency Department (ED), reporting 34 patients on trolleys across the hospital. It has postponed all adult elective surgeries for the day.
The hospital said it is very busy today, with long waiting times in the ED and large numbers of patients awaiting inpatient beds.
MUH reported a very busy weekend, with attendance approximately 20pc higher than expected, with a high number of unwell elderly patients presenting to the ED.
On the morning of Monday, January 19, MUH reported 18 patients on trolleys in the ED, with a further 16 patients on trolleys at ward level.
The hospital has urged members of the public to attend their GP or out-of-hours service in the first instance and, if at all possible, to consider using the minor injuries unit in Roscommon.
MUH stressed that patients requiring emergency care should continue to attend the ED, where they will be seen in order of priority.
They warned that patients who attend the ED for non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times.
The hospital said all available beds are currently in use. They assured that every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready and safe to go home or to an alternative care setting, so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted at the earliest opportunity.
All adult elective procedures scheduled for today have been postponed, while urgent and time-sensitive procedures are being reviewed for the remainder of the week.
Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.
The hospital acknowledged that the delays are very difficult for patients and their families, and sincerely apologised for the distress the delays and cancellations will cause.
MUH said they are committed to treating everyone who presents to the ED, and both the hospital management team and the clinical management team are doing everything to keep the site safe for patients.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.