Public urged to avoid UHG emergency department amid overcrowding concerns
GBFM NewsGalway Bay FM News Desk
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The General Manager at UHG is calling on members of the public to avoid attending the emergency unit at the hospital unless absolutely necessary as nurses deal with a surge of attendances.
17 new beds were opened at the hospital this week to cater for the high demand experienced at the A&E unit.
A further 13 beds are due to open by the end of February.
Today, there are almost 30 people waiting on trolleys or in over-capacity wards at UHG.
The 17 new beds are full, and beds in the medical assessment unit and day care ward are being used as overflow for the emergency department.
General Manager at UHG, Chris Kane, says a number of units at the hospital are being used as overflow for the emergency department.
Chris Kane is urging members of the public to avoid attending the emergency department over the next 24 hours if at all possible.
John O’Donnell is lead consultant in emergency medicine at UHG.
He says some elderly patients have been waiting on trolleys for over 40 hours.