Almost 12,000 patients spend more than six hours in Wexford General Hospital Emergency Department

Almost 12,000 patients attending Wexford General Hospital's Emergency Department spent more than six hours there according to HSE figures.

The figures show that of 35,688 patients recorded 23,889 or 66.9 per cent spent six hours or less in the department.

That means 11,799 patients, approximately one in three, exceeded the six-hour mark.

A further breakdown reveals that 6,110 patients spent more than nine hours in the Emergency Department, while 263 remained there for longer than 24 hours.

Despite the figures, Wexford General Hospital performed better than the national average, with 57 per cent of patients nationally spending six hours or less in Emergency Departments.

However, neighbouring hospitals recorded stronger results.

At University Hospital Waterford, 72.1 per cent of patients spent six hours or less in the Emergency Department while the figure at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny was 77.2 per cent.

Neither University Hospital Waterford nor St Michael's Hospital in Dún Laoghaire recorded patients exceeding 24 hours, compared with 263 at Wexford General Hospital.

Nationally, more than 31,800 patients spent over 24 hours in Emergency Departments during the reporting period.

The figures highlight the continuing pressures facing hospital emergency services, with significant numbers of patients spending extended periods in departments before their care is completed or they are admitted or discharged.