The Emergency Department (ED) at Letterkenny University Hospital is extremely busy with high numbers of people attending.
A total of 198 people attended at the Emergency Department and the hospital is seeing similar high numbers today.
There are currently 86 patients in the Emergency Department with 17 patients waiting to be admitted.
There are also currently 11 COVID-19 positive patients being treated at LUH with two wards in outbreak.
A spokesperson said “Where a ward is affected by COVID-19 visiting is limited and all visits must be pre-arranged by the family members / nominated visitor, who should contact the relevant ward or unit in advance.”
All available beds in the hospital are in use.
Patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward.
The spokesperson added “Every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity.
“Due to the pressures on the site and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is postponing some elective procedures.
“Urgent, time sensitive cases are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.
“We are committed to treating everyone who presents at the ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority. The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.”
Hospital management says it continues to request that people consider other options for non-emergency care such as Out of Hours GP and pharmacies before attending an ED.
“Please do not visit the hospital if you have any Respiratory symptoms or have had contact with someone who has COVID-19.
“Visitors are advised that they must use the alcohol hand gels regularly while at the hospital, face masks are also available for use throughout the hospital.”
