Long wait times have been reported at Letterkenny University Hospital this Friday due to a lack of beds.
There are currently 80 patients in the Emergency Department with eight patients waiting to be admitted.
Yesterday, 146 people attended the hospital seeking emergency treatment.
“There is ongoing pressure on bed availability in the hospital and we regret that many patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the ED to an acute bed in the hospital,” said a spokesperson.
There are currently nine COVID-19 positive patients being treated at LUH with one ward ‘in outbreak’.
A statement from Saolta said: “We are committed to treating everyone who presents at our ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority. The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.
“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.
“Keeping up to date with your vaccines is the most important thing you can do to avoid serious illness from flu and COVID-19.”
