Trolley numbers rise in local hospitals

Numbers on trolleys at local hospitals have spiked significantly today.

According to figures released by the INMO this morning, there were 40 people on trolleys at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, the second highest in the country, after Cork University Hospital.

There were also significant numbers on trolleys in Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe (26), while there were 10 at Mullingar hospital.

Portiuncula Hospital is part of the Saolta University Health Care Group, which issued a statement today, advising people attending the Emergency Department that they would face long delays.

“The Emergency Department at Portiuncula University Hospital remains extremely busy again this morning, Friday, 10 March 2017 with high numbers of patients awaiting admission to the hospital,” the statement said.

Apologising for any distress caused by the delays, Saolta said a Full Capacity Protocol has been implemented and all efforts would continue to be made to identify patients who are appropriate for discharge.

The statement also encouraged people to attend 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.

Patients in the vicinity of Roscommon University Hospital, including East Galway, Athlone, South East Mayo, Longford and south Leitrim are reminded that Roscommon Injury Unit, located in the Urgent Care centre of Roscommon University Hospital, is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm and can treat both adults and children aged 5 and over.

There is no charge for patients with full medical cards or those patients with valid medical/GP referral letter.

A statement on behalf of the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, said: “Patients attending the ED at this time may experience some delays. In order to assist us we are requesting that patients, where possible, consider using their GP or out of hours Midoc Service for initial medical assessment.