Sligo University Hospital says it’s ready for surge
HUGE AMOUNT OF WORK HAS GONE IN IN TERMS OF PREPARATION OVER THE PAST NUMBER OF WEEKS AT THE HOSPITAL TO CATER FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY
Staff across Sligo University Hospital have been working extremely hard over the last number of weeks to prepare for the expected increase in COVID-19 patients presenting to the hospital.
“A huge amount of work has taken place in Sligo University Hospital over the last number of weeks to prepare for an increase in COVID-19 cases and I want to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of all our staff as we prepare for this unprecedented public health emergency.
“We have moved and reconfigured existing inpatient wards to facilitate the treatment of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in the safest possible way.
“In our ICU we have created extra critical care capacity to allow us treat more patients, should that be required.
“We have also purchased extra critical care equipment for all our additional ICU beds.
“Across the hospital our medical, nursing staff and some of our therapy staff have undergone extra specialised training to enable them to support their critical care colleagues as and when the numbers of patients requiring hospital treatment increases.
“We have cancelled all but urgent cancer and time critical procedures, diagnostics and outpatient appointments.
“We are contacting patients directly to advise them if their appointment is going ahead and reminding all those who are due to attend the hospital, not to do so if they have a fever or respiratory symptoms.
“Visiting restrictions continue in our hospitals with the exception of end of life situations and we expect that to continue over the coming weeks.
“We fully appreciate how difficult that is for our patients and their families but we must do it to protect our patients in the first instance but also our staff,” said a spokesperson for the Saolta University Health Care Group.
Katherine Finan, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at Sligo University Hospital added: “All of the clinical teams, nursing staff and our health and social care professional colleagues have been working really hard over the last number of weeks to make sure that we are in the best possible position to treat suspect and confirmed COVID-19 patients both now and as the number of cases inevitably increase.
“The most important thing the public can do is protect yourself and protect others. Do this by washing your hands properly and often.
“Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze and put used tissues into a bin.
“Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Avoid close contact with others by keeping a distance of 2 metres between you and others.
“If you are waiting on a test to see if you have COVID-19 or you have been tested and are waiting for the results you need to stay home and self-isolate.
“If you have any symptoms, assume you have COVID-19 and isolate yourself for 14 days to prevent spreading any potential infection to others and to help stop the spread of this disease”.
The Dáil and the rest of the country joined in an emotional and symbolic clap to show solidarity with the frontline staff last Thursday night at 8pm. People in Sligo stood at their doors to clap and emergency personnel from the fire service and Gardaí turned up at SUH to show support.