Referrals restricted over A&E overcrowding

GPs in Limerick have been told not to refer any new patients to the acute medical assessment unit at the Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle because of overcrowding in the emergency department (ED).

A spokesperson for the HSE said it was likely to be Monday before any new patients can be treated there. He said GPs had been notified of a “major surge” in the ED and that some of these patients had to be accommodated in the assessment unit.

The problem is likely to have been exacerbated by the temporary closure during the week of the acute assessment unit at Ennis General Hospital due to a doctor being on sick leave. He was eventually replaced by a doctor from Limerick, but it meant the unit remained closed for a couple of days.