Flu pressures in Laois HSE issues public appeal over Portlaoise hospital A&E attendance

The HSE has urged people in Laois and other counties who rely on Portlaoise hospital not to attend the hospital's Emergency Department (ED/A&E) if their condition is not an emergency.

With hospitals across Ireland under pressure with flu, the HSE's Dublin Midlands group made the appeal to local people in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"The Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is experiencing increasing numbers of people requiring admission at this time. Unfortunately, patients who are presenting at the ED with non-urgent conditions are experiencing very long waiting times to be seen.

"Where possible, the management at Portlaoise hospital is asking patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service such as their local Pharmacist, GP, GP out of hours service, or a local injury unit," said the appeal.

The HSE's daily urgent and emergency care report for Portlaoise hospital said there were five trollies deployed at 8 am on January 7 in the hospital's ED. Ten surge capacity beds have had to be put into use to cope with demand while five beds around the hospital were in use due to patients who had completed their acute inpatient care, but discharge was delayed.

The HSE asked the people visit http://www.hse.ie/injuryunits to find your nearest injury unit and their opening hours. If you require urgent medical attention out-of-hours, the HSE advised people to visit https://www2.hse.ie/services/find-a-gp-out-of-hours/

It adds that any patient who needs emergency hospital care will be seen.

"Portlaoise would urge such patients not to delay attending the ED," it said.

That statement urged people no not to delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Portlaoise hospital ED extension includes a specialist respiratory illness facility.

READ ALSO: Enhanced facilities at Portlaoise hospital for flu fight

"We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary. The Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks the public for their support and understanding," said the statement.

The HSE made a similar appeal in relation to Tullamore hospital on January 5. Visiting restrictions were enforced on January 31 in all departments at the Offaly hospital to reduce the spread of the flu and other illnesses due to the high level of respiratory viral illnesses circulating in the community.