The Full Capacity Protocol has remained in place at Letterkenny University Hospital due to overcrowding.
At least 138 people sought care at the Emergency Department yesterday, with the hospital saying it has ‘admitted a significant number of ill patients’ today (Weds).
Forty-seven people were recorded awaiting admission on trolleys on Tuesday morning.
Staff are currently making efforts to identify patients who are appropriate for discharge in order to deal with the overcrowding.
A Saolta spokesperson said: “Hospital management apologises for the inconvenience and distress that these delays cause patients and their families. The hospital prioritises those in most need of care and this may lead to delays for less urgent patients.
“The Emergency Department is extremely busy again today and the hospital has admitted a significant number of ill patients.
“Many of these patients are currently in the Emergency Department, awaiting a bed.
“The Full Capacity Protocol remains in place and all efforts continue to be made to identify patients who are appropriate for discharge.
“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.”
