Mayo hospital apology over delays due to 'significant pressure'

Mayo University Hospital is under significant pressure today with high attendances and long waiting times over the last three days in the emergency department.

A statement issued by the facility stated: "We want to apologise to our patients and their families for these delays and advise that our staff are working diligently to ensure that all patients are safely cared for.

"Given the pressures on the site some elective procedures are being postponed and patients will be contacted directly if their procedure is deferred.

"The high number of people attending 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 Emergency Department who are waiting for a bed to become available on a ward.

"All available beds are in use. 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.

"The hospital acknowledges that these delays and postponements are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.

"The hospital 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 consider other options for non-emergency care such as Out of Hours GP and pharmacies before attending an ED.

"Roscommon Injury Unit is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., they can help with many of the injuries people go to the emergency department for.

"For example, broken bones, dislocations, and minor burns."