Print PageBeaumont Hospital Appeals for Support from the Wider Community to Reduce the Pressure on the Emergency Department.
Saturday December 13, 2014
Beaumont Hospital regrets the extremely difficult conditions faced by patients and staff at its Emergency Department (ED).
More than 45,000 patients attend the ED every year and the numbers to date in 2014 have increased.
In recent days, Beaumont has introduced further escalation procedures with the aim of relieving the pressures on the ED. Notwithstanding these, conditions for patients and staff have deteriorated.
Beaumont is appealing for support from the wider community to reduce the pressure on the Emergency Department.
Specifically, the Hospital is
- asking patients who may be considering coming to the ED, to contact their GP instead and, if possible, to avoid or delay their visit to the Department.
- asking GPs not to send patients to Beaumont ED unless absolutely necessary.
- encouraging those who can to access private health facilities for the treatment of minor injuries and illnesses.
- cancelling non urgent admissions and surgery in order to free up additional beds.