Mayo hospital 'extremely busy' - long waits at Emergency Department today

MAYO University Hospital is under significant pressure today, with a high level of admissions to the hospital leading to long waiting times in the Emergency Department (ED).

The high number of people attending the ED who need to be admitted for ongoing treatment means that there is pressure on bed availability. This is resulting in significant delays being experienced by patients in the ED who are waiting for a bed to become available on a ward.

There are currently a very high number of patients on trolleys in ED awaiting admission to in-patient beds.

All available beds are in use. Every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready and safe to go home so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity.

Given the pressures and lack of available beds, MUH is postponing most elective procedures. Urgent, time sensitive cases are being prioritised where possible. Patients are being advised directly and the situation is being kept under review.

The hospital, in a statement, said it is committed to treating everyone who presents at the Emergency Department; people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer.

“We continue to request that people only attend the Emergency Department at the hospital if it is an emergency situation. We ask that people attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible.”

As an alternative to the ED - for minor injuries - the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.

The hospital has acknowledged that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.