“Every hospital across the country is experiencing a significant surge in terms of activity,” HSE Regional Executive Officer for the Mid West Sandra Broderick has said, reports RTE.
“There has been an 18% increase during the festive period and that represents 9,000 more people who have attended emergency departments compared to 2023 between 20 December and 2 January. So really, really high attendances,” reports RTE.
Ms. Broderick stated on RTÉ’s News at One that “a lot” of individuals needed hospital care for the virus.
“Coupled on top of that, in my own region at UHL, we have this weather alert that’s leading to a lot of trauma and orthopaedic admissions right now,” she added, reports RTE.
Hospitals are “expecting ongoing pressures for the rest of the month” due to the virus and unfavourable weather conditions, she said.
“We’re definitely likely to see disruption, particularly in areas affected by the weather and we’re expecting to see even more attendances given that people will have slips, trips and falls,” reports RTE.
Ms. Broderick expressed regret to those who received care at UHL on trolleys.
“Despite the fact that there were 60 odd people on trolleys at UHL this morning, the staff there are working extremely hard to progress all of those patients through our system,” she said, reports RTE.
She advised patients to utilise the pharmacy, doctor, and GP after hours if at all feasible, but advised them to go to the emergency room if they had a serious or life-threatening disease.
“They will be seen and they will be treated”, reports RTE.
She noted that all outpatients at Kerry University Hospital have been rescheduled for Thursday and that anyone who is concerned about service interruptions should visit the HSE website.
Due to extremely high flu rates and a large number of ED visits, Sligo University Hospital is still under a lot of strain, reports RTE.
According to a statement from the Saolta hospital group, 29 patients are presently receiving treatment for respiratory conditions including the flu and RSV.
Furthermore, 31 patients are waiting to be admitted to inpatient beds on trolleys.
Because of the strain and the shortage of beds, the hospital is delaying several elective surgeries, reports RTE.
Patients are being notified immediately if their treatment is being postponed, and urgent, time-sensitive cases are being given priority.
Four units are experiencing a flu outbreak, and the hospital is limiting access to those wards.
Given the serious consequences of the outbreaks, Saolta is urging the public not to go to the hospital if they are ill or experiencing symptoms, reports RTE.
Additionally, visitors are instructed to use the provided alcohol hand gels both when they arrive and exit the facility.
Additionally, it will be mandatory for all guests to wear face masks, reports RTE.
Saolta anticipates that during the next several days, the strain at Sligo University Hospital will not let off.
It encourages the public to seek treatment from alternative healthcare providers, such as general practitioners, GP after hours, the Roscommon Injury Unit, and pharmacists, where appropriate, reports RTE.
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