Long wait times at Mayo Emergency Department today

FOLLOWING a very busy bank holiday weekend, the Emergency Department at Mayo University Hospital remains under significant pressure today.

The hospital is asking that only patients requiring urgent emergency care attend the ED today. Any patients who attend ED for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times. People who require emergency will be prioritised.

A statement from the Saolta Hospital Group set out: 'We continue to request that people consider other options for non-emergency care such as the Roscommon Injury Unit, out of hours GP and pharmacies before attending an ED. The Roscommon Injury Unit treats injuries that are not life-threatening, such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds and minor burns.

'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.

'As of 8 a.m. this morning there were 16 patients on trolleys in ED awaiting admission and a further 12 on the wards waiting in-patient beds.

'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.

'Due to the pressures on the site and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is postponing a number of elective surgeries. Urgent, time sensitive cases are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.

'Outpatient appointments are proceeding as usual and people should come to their appointments unless advised otherwise.

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