Health Forum hears 44 surgeries cancelled due to be bed pressure issues at Sligo University Hospital earlier this year

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The latest meeting of the Regional Health Forum West North West heard there were 44 surgeries cancelled between January and April of this year as a result of bed capacity issues at Sligo University Hospital, with all affected patients having their surgery rescheduled within three weeks.

The matter was raised by Manorhamilton based Councillor, Felim Gurn who submitted several questions in relation to the hospital.

In reply to Cllr Gurn’s query regarding how many surgeries were cancelled due to bed capacity at the hospital, John Fitzmaurice, Integrated Health Area Manager, Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, West Cavan replied, “Following bed management escalation meetings, a total of 44 patients were cancelled between January and April due to bed pressures.”

Mr Fitzmaurice added, “Patients affected by these cancellations were contacted on the evening prior to their scheduled surgery and advised of the need to postpone their procedure due to the lack of available inpatient beds. All patients whose procedures were cancelled because of bed pressures were prioritised for the next available surgical list. Within SUH, all affected patients had their surgery rescheduled within 2–3 weeks of the original planned date.”

Cllr Gurn also asked for details regarding the number of patients who went through the Emerbgency Department at SUH for the first time between January and April 2026.

In reply Mr Fitzmaurice provided figures for the four months in question, noting there were 3,849 new Emergency Department attendances. In February the figure was 3,419; March 3,755 and April 3,719.

Cllr Gurn also queried the average waiting times for patients for admissions at SUH between January and April of this year with Mr Fitzmaurice revealing the average waiting time for January was 16.6 hours; February (16.2 hours); March (15.1 hours) and April (15.4 hours). It was also noted the average waiting time in May was 13.3 hours.

A question was also submitted by Cllr Gurn in relation to how many patients had to spend tie on trolleys in the Emergency Department while waiting for a bed to become available.

Detailing how the figures are calculated, Mr Fitzmaurice explained the trolley figures are compiled every morning at 8am and show that in January a total of 364 were waiting on trolleys. In February the figure was 344; March (331); April (365) and May (210).

Mr Fitzmaurice added, “SUH has seen ongoing pressure in 8am Trollies numbers in 2026 impacted by increased hospital admissions, viral outbreaks in February through to April and pressures in accessing Long Term Care and Rehab beds.

“Daily management of these pressures is dealt with using the Hospital Escalation policy, which reflects key triggers and actions to be taken in response to various stages of Escalation. These actions reflect a combined response from both community and acute services to respond to times of escalation.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.