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MANAGEMENT at University Hospital Kerry has issued a statement regarding the “extreme pressure” being placed on services at the hospital at the moment due to a number of factors.
This pressure has now resulted in the deferral of most outpatient appointments and elective surgeries (see details below).
There were 40 patients waiting on trolleys at the hospital earlier today, the highest number recorded at hospital since records began in 2006.
Management say the surge of winter virus infections (COVID 19, Influenza and other respiratory illnesses) as is being experienced right throughout the country at present, is bringing to bear extreme pressure on all services at University Hospital Kerry.
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“In addition to placing extreme strain on the Emergency Department, on Acute bed capacity and on Critical care capacity, the situation is compounded by significant staffing deficits,” reads the statement.
It continues: “UHK is working tirelessly to ensure that every available resource is utilised to respond to the needs of our patients who are seeking urgent and emergency care.
“We are actively engaging with our own staff, community services, the BSH and other relevant partners with an absolute focus – to prioritise patient safety. To mitigate risk, the management team in conjunction with Clinical representatives have agreed to prioritise services for current inpatients as well as for time critical surgeries.
Mitigation measures as follows have been agreed:
· Deferral of all OutPatient scheduled appointments up to and including Friday 20th January 2023 [ *Exceptions listed below].
· Deferral of Elective Surgery up to and including Friday 20th January 2023 [ Exception time critical surgeries]
*Exceptions to the above cancelled clinics are:
· Orthopaedic Trauma Clinics
· Infusion Clinics
· Dressings Clinic
· Cardiology Out Patient scans & procedures
· Radiology Out Patient imaging/procedures
· Virtual Clinics
· Dermatology [Pigmented lesion clinics]
· Antenatal / Maternity Clinics/Pessary/Outreach Clinics
· Oncology and Palliative Care Clinics
· Colposcopy & Hysteroscopy Clinics at Cíll Ide
· Renal Clinics
· Endoscopies [Time critical will proceed]
Other than the above listed clinics, University Hospital Kerry is requesting that patients do not attend scheduled outpatient and elective surgery appointments UNLESS you receive a call to advise otherwise, from UHK staff.
Any cancelled appointments are being worked on presently with a view to early rescheduling. Should you have an urgent query in relation to an appointment, please contact the relevant Consultant’s secretary.
Hospital Management at UHK, similarly with other acute hospitals are appealing to the public to explore all other options [local Pharmacy, GP, South Doc] before attending the Emergency Department this week. Urgent cases however, will always be prioritised for treatment and care.
Hospital visiting presently is on compassionate grounds only. UHK has in place some alternative means of keeping contact with loved ones…
· Keeping Contact Initiative: UHK has set up a specific email address so that patients can receive direct messages. Communications from friends & family can be of great comfort to patients during these times and can be e-mailed to: uhk.keepingcontact@hse.ie Be sure to include on the subject line the Patient’s Full Name, Ward Name (if known) and the first line of the patient’s home address.
· Virtual Visits: UHK have an initiative to facilitate Video Calls using WhatsApp on Digipads for patients who do not have SMART phone/devices. Please contact Ward Manager/Nurse in Charge to request video call with your loved one.
UHK Management and staff extend a very sincere ‘Thank You’ in anticipation of the public’s co-operation with these arrangements.”
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