Mayo University Hospital is extremely busy with long wait times in the Emergency Department

The Emergency Department (ED) at Mayo University Hospital (MUH) is extremely busy with high numbers of people attending the department requiring admission for ongoing treatment. There have been more than 350 patients who attended the ED since Monday with more than 100 patients requiring admission.

The hospital is advising that patients who attend ED will experience very long waiting times and urgent patients will be prioritised.

Overall, the MUH is extremely busy, and patients are also facing long waiting times to be admitted from the ED to a bed on a ward. Every effort is being made to ensure patient flow from admission to safe discharge is effective to improve capacity for patients waiting admission.

Due to the pressures on the site and the lack of bed capacity, the hospital is postponing some elective procedures. Urgent, time sensitive cases are being prioritised. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed.

As always, people who require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. Patients who can be managed in their GP practice or injury unit should use these options.

The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families and sincerely apologises for the inconvenience and acknowledges the distress these delays or cancelations cause.

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