The number of sick patients attending the Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital has risen by 40% this week.
The hospital is extremely busy as over 150 people attended the ED on three consecutive days.
A statement from the hospital said that a significant number of ill patients have been admitted following the high attendances, many of whom remain in the ED awaiting a bed.
Thirty-nine patients have been recorded waiting on trolleys this Thursday morning.
Actions are underway in the hospital to alleviate the waiting times for patients requiring admission. These include additional reviews, early discharges and deferral of elective non urgent procedures.
A statement from Saolta said: “We would like to remind the public that we encourage them to attend the Emergency Department only in the case of real emergencies and they should contact their GP or GP Out-of-Hours service in the first instance.
“Hospital management regrets the inconvenience and distress the long delays cause patients and their families. The hospital prioritises those in most need of care and this unfortunately may lead to delays for less urgent patients.”
