Hospital warns of 'significant delays' for patients

Second time in as many weeks the hospital has issued such a statement.

Cavan General Hospital is currently experiencing significantly high levels of activity with prolonged waiting times.

Management at the hospital advised the public this morning that there are “high numbers of patient presentations” to the Emergency Department.

“All patients should be advised of significant delays and limited bed capacity at present.”

They are also urging people to seek alternatives to a arriving at the ED for treatment.

“If any alternatives to an Emergency Department referral are available these should be explored as a priority. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter,” said the statement, which was shared with all General Practitioners in the Cavan and Monaghan Hospital Region.

It is the second time in as many weeks that the hospital has issued such a statement.

Last week management also advised patients attending they could face “significant delays” in treatment due to a high number of patient presentations at ED.

Given the demand, hospital management issued a state of 'Black Escalation' which, according to HSE guidelines, means the hospital's ED was in a “critical position and clinically unsafe”.