Almost all elective services at University Hospital Limerick – including outpatient appointments, elective surgery and diagnostic investigations – are being postponed until further notice due to the level of attendances in the Emergency department and a significant increase in Covid-19 activity. The Hospital is now giving emergency and time critical care the priority focus. Affected patients will be contacted as soon as possible to reschedule their appointments and procedures. The Emergency Department remains open 24-7 for emergency cases and emergency and trauma surgery is continuing.
There are a limited number of exceptions to the cancellations. Appointments which are going ahead at this time include: Cancer services (oncology and haematology day ward; haematology and oncology outpatient clinics; medical oncology clinics; rapid access clinics for breast, lung and prostate), Dialysis, Breast radiology, Heart Failure Clinic (ANP clinic) and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Clinical Age Assessment Unit (Blood pressure, Syncope, Falls Unit, DEXA Unit), Rapid Access Medical Unit (DVT, diabetes, epilepsy, anticoagulant, warfarin, respiratory, fibroscan), Nurse-led outpatient clinics, Dermatology outpatients, Bronchoscopy outpatients, Cardiology diagnostics, OPAT (outpatient therapy), Fracture Clinic, Paediatric outpatient clinics, Endoscopy
A visiting ban remains in place at UHL due to high volumes of patients, including 89 patients who are positive for Covid-19. The ban on visitors also applies to patients attending the Emergency Department.
The only exceptions are:
· parents visiting children in hospital
· people assisting confused patients; for example, dementia
· visiting on compassionate grounds; for example, for patients who are critically unwell or at end of life
Exemptions are limited to one person per patient and will be looked at on a case-by-case basis.
As an alternative to attending the Emergency Department people are asked to first consider options such as family doctors, out-of-hours GP services, and local pharmacies. The Local Injury Units at Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals (8am-8pm daily), and St John’s Hospital (8am-6pm, Monday to Friday) are an excellent option for treatment of broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns, without a lengthy wait that can be expected in the ED at this time. However, hospital management say anyone seriously injured or ill or are worried their life is at risk should attend the Emergency Department and they will be assessed and treated as a priority.
Services at Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital and St John’s Hospital are largely unaffected and patients in these hospitals are advised to attend for their appointments or procedures unless contacted directly by our staff and advised otherwise.
