University Hospital Limerick faces record emergency demand
University Hospital Limerick encountered one of its busiest days ever with 366 patients attending the Emergency Department on 12 October. This surge, nearly 40% above average, highlights ongoing pressures amid rising patient numbers across the Mid-West region.
Source:
HSE — Health Service Executive
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⏱️ 2 min read
University Hospital Limerick (UHL) experienced exceptionally high demand in its Emergency Department on Monday, 12 October, with 366 patients presenting—a figure significantly above the daily average and one of the highest ever recorded at the facility.
To contextualise, UHL recorded 95,373 Emergency Department attendances in 2025, the highest nationally, averaging 262 patients per day. This year, attendances have increased by 5,943 and admissions by 2,235, maintaining UHL’s position as the busiest ED in the country. To manage this surge, the hospital has activated surge capacity and implemented various measures such as moving patients from trolleys to inpatient wards as beds become available, increasing medical ward rounds to accelerate discharges, and coordinating with community services and neighbouring hospitals like Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s.
The public is urged to consider alternative care options where appropriate, including GP services, GP Out-of-Hours, Injury Units, and community pharmacies, to ease pressure on the Emergency Department. Injury Units at Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s hospitals operate daily from 8am to 8pm, offering treatment for non-admission injuries such as suspected fractures, sprains, minor burns, and wounds, with typical wait times around two hours. In life-threatening cases, individuals should call 112 or 999. The HSE Mid West thanks patients and families for their patience and acknowledges the dedication of healthcare staff providing compassionate care under challenging conditions.
To contextualise, UHL recorded 95,373 Emergency Department attendances in 2025, the highest nationally, averaging 262 patients per day. This year, attendances have increased by 5,943 and admissions by 2,235, maintaining UHL’s position as the busiest ED in the country. To manage this surge, the hospital has activated surge capacity and implemented various measures such as moving patients from trolleys to inpatient wards as beds become available, increasing medical ward rounds to accelerate discharges, and coordinating with community services and neighbouring hospitals like Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s.
The public is urged to consider alternative care options where appropriate, including GP services, GP Out-of-Hours, Injury Units, and community pharmacies, to ease pressure on the Emergency Department. Injury Units at Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s hospitals operate daily from 8am to 8pm, offering treatment for non-admission injuries such as suspected fractures, sprains, minor burns, and wounds, with typical wait times around two hours. In life-threatening cases, individuals should call 112 or 999. The HSE Mid West thanks patients and families for their patience and acknowledges the dedication of healthcare staff providing compassionate care under challenging conditions.
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