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MANAGEMENT at UHK have made a decision to postpone all elective surgery, with the exception of time critical cancer surgery, up until and including Friday, 10th September.
This is due to the increased demands on the hospital, as the Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Kerry is exceptionally busy.
They say the ED has been coming under continuing pressure with high numbers presenting with a variety of complex needs in recent days and weeks.
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This situation will be continually monitored and reviewed on a daily basis. All effected patients will be contacted directly by the hospital.
“We are cognisant of the impact this measure will have on those who are due to have elective surgery over the coming days and this decision was taken following consultation with South/ South West Hospital Group and only after all alternative options were exhausted,” reads a statement from the hospital.
“We wish to extend our apologies to the public for the inconvenience and distress this may cause.”
The Emergency Department remains open 24/7 , however, people presenting for non-urgent care should expect to experience long delays, therefore management at the hospital are asking members of the public to only attend in the case of a genuine emergency, advising that, where possible, a GP or Southdoc out of hours service be consulted in the first instance.
People are asked to consider alternative care and treatment options and keep the ED services for the patients who need them most. Non-essential referrals should be deferred and the alternatives above considered.
