MANAGEMENT at the seriously under pressure University Hospital Kerry have made a decision to postpone all elective surgery, with the exception of time critical cancer procedures, due to a huge surge in patient demand at the facility.
The problems are resulting from an “exceptionally busy” accident and emergency department which its placing staff and the hospital under continuing strain.
Management said high numbers of people have been presenting with “a variety of complex needs” in recent days and weeks.
No non-essential surgeries will take place until at least Saturday but the situation will be continually monitored and reviewed on a daily basis. All patients impacted 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,” the hospital said in a statement issued this evening.
The decision was taken following consultation with South-South West Hospital Group after all alternative options were exhausted.
“We wish to extend our apologies to the public for the inconvenience and distress this may cause,” a spokesperson said.
The emergency department remains open 24 hours a day but people presenting for non-urgent care have been told to expect long delays.
People are being asked to consider alternative care and, where possible, a GP or the SouthDoc out-of-hours service be consulted in the first instance.
