The UL Hospitals Group said on Monday it had deferred scheduled activity across all of its hospital sites due to near record overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
The hospital on Monday was the most overcrowded nationally with 143 patients on trolleys in the emergency department and on wards, according to figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
The group said it had put UHL at its “highest state of escalation” and was providing “surge capacity across our hospitals”. The group is responsible for patients attending UHL, Ennis General Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, St John’s Limerick and Croom Orthopeadic Hospital.
“Scheduled activity across all sites has been deferred for tomorrow (Tuesday) and will remain under review, with only urgent and time-critical patients, including cancer patients, going ahead,” it said.
Westmeath home on 48 acres with stunning lake and countryside views for €780,000
‘I want someone to take an actual stand on immigration’: How will TCD student debaters vote?
Spice Village takeaway review: Indian food in south Dublin that will keep you coming back
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano set to show true boxing values at strange big-money event
It advised the public that while the UHL emergency department remained open “anyone who comes to ED who doesn’t have a life-threatening or severe illness or injury will face a significant wait”.
“Urgent care is being delivered to those who need it most,” it added.
On February 7th last a record 150 patients were counted on trolleys at UHL.
There were 539 admitted patients waiting for beds across hospitals nationally on Monday morning, according to the count by the INMO, which has repeatedly said the overcrowding situation in hospitals is dangerous and a threat to patient safety.
The UL Hospitals Group has repeatedly apologised for long wait times for patients seeking to be seen by a doctor.
- Listen to our Inside Politics Podcast for the latest analysis and chat
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date