Current Situation: Increasing Emergency Department Wait Times

Emergency department (ED) wait times in Ireland are currently experiencing significant pressure,with projections indicating further increases as winter approaches. ⁤ This is driven by a combination ⁢of factors, including seasonal illnesses, staffing challenges, and overall demand for healthcare services.

Recent reports highlight substantial delays for patients seeking emergency care. The Radio Kerry reported that University Hospital Kerry (UHK) patients are facing emergency department waits of up to eight hours.