Members of the public contemplating presenting themselves to the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) have been asked “to consider all their care options” before doing so.

Shortly after lunchtime on Tuesday, UL Hospitals Group issued a statement to The Clare Echo appealing to the public not to come to the emergency department unless necessary. In the space of 24 hours from 8am on Monday to the same time this morning, 250 patients attended the ED, a spokesperson said “which is thirty to forty more patients than were presenting from the Department on Mondays during recent weeks”.

This coupled with a busy weekend has seen an increase in the number of discharges. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to patients or their loved ones who have experienced long wait times in the ED at UHL, and we would like to reassure patients and their families that we are working to alleviate the situation. We also acknowledge the work of our staff and thank them for their continued dedication and commitment to patient care. We are urging people to please consider all their care options at this time and not to attend the Emergency Department unless absolutely necessary. It is important that we keep the ED for emergencies only and we encourage the public to do so.

“Injury Units in St John’s, Ennis and Nenagh hospitals are open for appropriate injuries. Injury Units treat broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns and save long waiting times. Injury Units are open in Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals from 8am to 8pm every day and 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday at St. John’s Hospital. Others with a less serious illness can be treated by their GP or out of hours GP service where their GP can refer them to an Assessment Unit the following day if required. However, if you are seriously injured or ill or are worried your life is at risk the ED will assess and treat you as a priority,” the statement concluded.

Related News

francis st cottages bollards 06-03-24 1
Council acting like 'dodgiest of dodgy developers' claims Clare TD
st patrick's day parade ennis 17-03-22 26
Patrick's Day parades to highlight Abbey Street car park's importance as civic space
peter banim
Lahinch publican chosen as Grand Marshal for Salt Lake City parade
aoife johnston 1
Independent report into Aoife Johnston death behind schedule
Latest News
st patrick's day parade ennis 17-03-22 26
Patrick's Day parades to highlight Abbey Street car park's importance as civic space
st josephs tulla u17 1-2
Munster glory for St Joseph's Tulla
clare u16 girls 1
Clare sides lose out in bid for national glory
oxygenpeople
Breathing Easier with OxyGeneration
peter banim
Lahinch publican chosen as Grand Marshal for Salt Lake City parade
Premium
clare u16 girls 1
Clare sides lose out in bid for national glory
scariff public meeting 01-06-23 6 pat hayes
Clare political delegations visiting US for St Patrick's Day must flag America's aid to Israel's war on Palestine - Hayes
mary howard mayor
Howard hits out at 'cruel' dental waiting list for children with additional needs
clare v kerry u20 18-04-22 26 odhran cunningham
Cunningham not caught up in the past as Clare U20s prepare to write their own story
bridge utd v lifford fc 03-03-24 lee mulready ronan tuohy 1
Bridge Utd down Shannon Town to make Clare Cup quarter-finals

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top