Public urged to consider ‘other options’ for non-emergency care this weekend as significant delays expected at Sligo University Hospital Emergency Department

Members of the public are being urged to consider other options this weekend if they are seeking non-emergency care as significant delays are to be expected at Sligo University Hospital’s Emergency Department.

A statement issued by Saolta says people should look at other options in order to protect the Emergency Department at SUH for patients who need urgent and emergency care, while people attending the ED seeking routine or non-urgent treatment will face ‘long waiting times’ over the weekend.

Emergency Departments (EDs) continue to be extremely busy with high numbers of patients attending who require admission. 

A statement said: “As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised.

“Patients who attend EDs for routine and non-urgent treatment are being advised that they will experience very long waiting times over the coming weekend and into early next week.

“It is really important that people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. Please dial 999 or 112 for emergency care if there is concern for serious illness or injury.

“We are appealing to the public to help protect our hospitals for those patients who need urgent and emergency care.

“Sligo University Hospital regrets that patients will face significant delays and asks everyone to help our staff at this time by considering other options for non-emergency care such as the Roscommon Injury Unit, Out of Hours GP and pharmacies before attending an ED.

“The Roscommon Injury Unit treats injuries that are not life-threatening, such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds and minor burns. Details of Injury Unit locations and what they can and cannot treat are on hse.ie/injuryunits”

Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta Group said: “Anyone who suspects they may be facing an emergency situation should of course come to the Emergency Department and they will be seen and treated.

"However, we would ask those who may be in a non-urgent situation to help our staff through a challenging time by looking at other healthcare options where possible.”

Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo added: “If you urgently need to see a GP out of hours please contact Caredoc on Tel 0818 365 399

“Caredoc provides urgent out-of-hours GP care for patients of participating practices in Sligo, North Leitrim and West Cavan. The GP out-of-hours service is for patients needing urgent medical care.

"It is not a substitute for the Emergency Ambulance Service who are the appropriate service to deal with medical emergencies where they arise.”