LIVE: Warning for Kilkenny patients as hospital faces huge pressure
St Luke's General Hospital has warned of significant delays in its Emergency Department as exceptionally high patient numbers and pressure on bed capacity continue. The hospital is urging people with non-emergency conditions to consider alternative care options, including their GP or local pharmacy...
St Luke's General Hospital for Kilkenny and Carlow is currently experiencing significantly high levels of activity, with large numbers of people presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).
Many of those attending require admission for ongoing treatment, placing pressure on bed availability.
The hospital is also dealing with high levels of activity involving patients with serious illnesses, which is impacting bed capacity across the hospital. These ongoing pressures are resulting in significant delays for patients in the ED who are waiting for a bed to become available on a ward.
The hospital, via HSE Dublin and South-East, have stated that they are committed to treating everyone who presents at the Emergency Department.
Patients who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority, while those who do not require urgent care may experience long waiting times.
The statement continues: “Every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds become available for patients who need to be admitted at the earliest opportunity.
“The public is asked to consider their care options. If your health problem is not an emergency, you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours, the GP out-of-hours service, or a local pharmacy, which can provide healthcare advice and support under the Common Conditions Service (CCS).”
Hospital management have thanked the public for their support and understanding during this busy time.