LUH Full Capacity Protocol implemented for the third time in three weeks

Once again, the Full Capacity Protocol has been implemented at Letterkenny University Hospital, with the Emergency Department very busy this morning.
Managament say there are significant numbers of patients awaiting admission to the hospital, and efforts are contining to identify patients who are appropriate for discharge. The hospital has also deferred some non-urgent elective procedures. We apologise to patients for the distress this deferral may cause.
For the third time in three weeks, management at the hospital are advising people who are attending the Emergency Department that they can expect delays.
Figures released today by the INMO showed 21 people awaiting admission at the hospital this morning, three on trolleys in the Emergency Department and 18 on the wards.
People are being encouraged to contact their GP or GP Out-of-Hours service in the first instance, and only to come to the Emergency Department in cases of emergency.