UHG overcrowding pressure demands urgent intervention – Ogbu
UHG overcrowding pressure demands urgent intervention – Ogbu - The Labour Party
- More than 300 patients attended UHG ED in one day
- Ogbu calls for immediate Ministerial action
Labour Councillor Helen Ogbu in Galway West has called for urgent action following a public advisory issued by University Hospital Galway as it faces significant overcrowding, with more than 300 people attending the Emergency Department yesterday and almost 70 patients now waiting on trolleys, according to INMO figures released today.
Councillor Ogbu said:
“What we are seeing in University Hospital Galway right now is deeply concerning and, unfortunately, all too familiar for patients and staff. More than 300 people attended the Emergency Department in a single day. Today, nearly 70 patients are waiting on trolleys. These are not just numbers. These are people in pain, people waiting for care, and healthcare workers pushed to their limits.
“The decision to cancel elective procedures shows just how serious the situation has become. Families who have already waited months for treatment are now facing further delays. At the same time, the public are being asked not to attend the Emergency Department unless it is a genuine emergency. That speaks volumes about the level of pressure on the system.
“People in Galway West are raising health services on the doors time and again. We need immediate action from the Minister for Health. That means putting in place emergency measures to relieve pressure on UHG and ensuring that community and primary care services are properly resourced so people have real alternatives to attending the Emergency Department.
“Government cannot continue to react to these crises as they arise. This requires sustained action and leadership. Patients and healthcare workers in Galway cannot wait any longer.”