Management at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) are asking the public to first consider all available healthcare alternatives before attending the ED there, which is currently prioritising treatment of the sickest, most seriously injured and frailest patients.
The facility is currently experiencing huge demand for its services, with upwards of 350 people attending the Emergency Department in the past 24 hours.
With approximately half these patients arriving to ED without GP referral, we’re urging people to first use the available alternatives where possible, including local pharmacies and family doctors, as well as walk-in Injury Units and GP-referral Medical Assessment Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospital for non-life-threatening conditions and injuries.
When your GP’s surgery is closed, Shannondoc is open from 6pm to 8am, Monday to Friday, and all day (24 hours) on Saturday and Sunday. You can contact Shannondoc on 0818 123 500. If you need urgent care, but don’t require ED attendance, GPs can refer you to a Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis, Nenagh or St John’s Hospitals.
Injury Units are a walk-in service, open 8am to 8pm at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospital. They can treat a range of injuries that don’t need hospitalisation, such as broken bones, dislocations, and minor burns. There is a typical patient experience time of around two hours. For advice, contact:
- Ennis Injury Unit – 065 686 3121
- Nenagh Injury Unit – 067 423 11
- St John’s Injury Unit – 061 462 132
The Emergency Department is for patients with life-threatening emergencies. Anyone with less urgent illnesses is going to experience a long wait, perhaps unnecessarily, and should follow the advice above where possible.
We apologise to every patient who has experienced long waits for a bed in UHL. Our staff are doing everything to provide the best possible care. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary.
At this time of exceptionally high demand for hospital services, we ask the public to continue supporting us, to ensure emergency care is prioritised for the sickest, most seriously injured and frailest patients.
