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A spokesman for University Hospital Limerick said all but the most time-critical patients have had their appointments cancelled until the end of the week.

Number of patients with Covid down to 412 yesterday with 36 in intensive care. Stock image

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Covid-19 cases are falling, but thousands of waiting-list patients whose care was put on hold during the pandemic, are still on the sidelines.

A lthough University Hospital Limerick has seen record levels of patients on trolleys this week, others are also seeing unprecedented demand, including Galway, Cork and Letterkenny hospitals.

Coupled with the patient influx is the ongoing infection controls needed.

The number of patients with Covid was down to 412 yesterday with 36 in intensive care. This compares to 1,624 in hospital at the end of last month and 97 in intensive care in January.

However, the pent-up demand for non-Covid care with very sick or elderly patients needing admission is making it difficult for hospitals to regain control of schedules.

Earlier this week, Beaumont Hospital surgeon Professor Deborah McNamara said more than 200,000 surgeries were delayed over the course of the pandemic.

A patient who needs a hip operation will wait an average of two and a half years from referral by their GP. She spoke of the high levels of misery among those waiting.

There were 95 patients in Limerick yesterday waiting for a bed.

The HSE is now sending a team of experts around to hospitals to find out how the flow of patients might be improved. But this kind of analysis has already been done many times.

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This time, the HSE has more funding at its disposal to invest in community supports, but the problem remains getting enough staff.

A spokesman for University Hospital Limerick yesterday said they looked forward to receiving full details about a group of specialists the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, is reported to be seeking to send to the hospital to examine ways of easing the blockages.

He said: “We can confirm that significant numbers of all but the most time-critical patients have had their appointments, surgeries and diagnostic investigations cancelled at UHL until the end of the week – with deferral of day surgery at Nenagh this Thursday.

“This is so that emergency care can be prioritised for the sickest patients.

“We are currently validating numbers and will be reporting this nationally in due course.”

This hospital was in the “highest state of escalation while managing record attendances at emergency department”.

Earlier this week the least time-critical activity at the hospital, including outpatient appointments, elective surgery and diagnostic investigations, was deferred until today “as the hospital continues to manage a sustained surge in emergency presentations”.

On Wednesday emergency and time-critical care for the sickest patients was being prioritised.

A decision on the resumption of scheduled care from next Monday “will be made in the coming days, and patients will be advised accordingly”, the spokesman added.

He said to help create surge capacity in the group, day surgery at Nenagh Hospital had to be cancelled yesterday.

“Affected patients are being contacted directly by hospital staff.

“All other appointments in Nenagh, including outpatient clinics and endoscopy, are operating as normal.

“A decision on day surgeries scheduled to take place in Nenagh on Friday will be made tomorrow, and further advice issued.”

Services at Ennis Hospital, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital and St John’s Hospital were unaffected.

Patients in these hospitals were advised to attend for their appointments or procedures unless contacted directly by staff and advised otherwise.

There were a limited number of exceptions to the cancellations, including cancer services and dialysis.

The spokesman urged people to continue attending emergency departments for the most serious illnesses and injuries, including suspected heart attacks and strokes.

“At this time of high demand for our services, anyone who has a less serious injury is going to experience delays.

“So we ask them to consider all healthcare alternatives to emergency department where appropriate, including family doctors, out-of-hours GP services, and local pharmacies.

“While Limerick is currently enduring the most extreme pressure, the reality is that several hospitals are struggling with the similar strain.

“And the way forward is uncertain.”

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