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Hospitals at Saolta University Health Care Group

Sligo University Hospital warns of possible delays as necessary upgrades carried out this weekend

Sligo University Hospital (SUH) will be carrying out necessary upgrades this weekend which may result in delays in our Emergency Department.

The hospital is updating its ITC system in order to link SUH with other hospitals and community services in the region. It is anticipated that the move may cause some delays whilst our reception team navigate the new system.

We apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for patience during this period of change.

Remembrance Service for families who have experienced the loss of a baby or child

Sligo University Hospital is inviting parents and their families who have experienced bereavement through the death of a baby or child or who have experienced pregnancy loss to a Remembrance Service which will take place in St Anne’s Small Chapel, Cranmore on Monday, 21 November at 8pm.

Roscommon Injury Unit appoints Third Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Media Release

Roscommon University Hospital is delighted to announce that Patricia Larkin has recently been appointed as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) in Emergency Nursing at Roscommon Injury Unit.  RANPs are the highest level of clinical experts in the nursing profession in Ireland today and are transforming services for patients through an expanded scope of practice, greater clinical autonomy and decision-making.

Long wait times at the Emergency Department in Sligo University Hospital

The Emergency Department at Sligo University Hospital has been extremely busy over the past few days with high numbers of patients presenting for treatment. Yesterday 139 people attended the Emergency Department with 173 attending on Monday.

Invitation to Sligo University Hospital Maternity Patient Forum

The Maternity Department in Sligo University Hospital (SUH) is inviting women who have recently attended the unit or who are currently accessing maternity services to get involved with an upcoming patient engagement forum.

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Information for Open Water Swimmers, Surfers, Kayakers and all Cold Water Athletes

What is Surfer’s Ear?

Well for starters, it’s not just for surfers. In fact, all cold water athletes are at risk of developing the condition. Surfer’s Ear is a medical condition clinically known as External Auditory Canal Exostoses (EACE) or Exostoses, which is caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind.

Exostoses are formed in response to a continuous change of temperature within the ear canal. As cold water regularly swirls along the ear canal, the body responds by warming the affected area, this also stimulates bone-producing cells within the ear canal, which cause the bone surrounding the ear to develop a bony growth.

These benign bone growths can lead to infections, water trapping, hearing loss and complete closure of the ear canal if left untreated

The condition develops slowly over time and it may take 10 to 15 years for the symptoms to appear.

Cause?

Research shows that Surfer’s Ear is most likely in exposure to cold water below 19deg. In Ireland, the water is usually at its warmest in August and even then the average temperature ranges from 13 to 17 degrees. The bottom line is – the water in Ireland is always too cold for our ears!

Surfer's Ear Clinic

Doctors from Sligo University Hospital held a Surfer’s Ear clinic to raise awareness of the condition.         

 

 
What does Surfer’s Ear look like?

                                                                             

How do you protect your ears?

Wear earplugs.

The advice couldn’t be simpler; this truly is a practical and cost-effective way to reduce your risk of developing exostoses. Hearing loss associated with wearing earplugs was identified through our study as the main deterrent for athletes across all sporting disciplines. However, modern earplugs are not only discrete but also let sound in and keep water out.

What to do if you are worried?

Visit your GP and ask him/her to check your ears. Your GP may then refer you to your nearest hospital to see a specialist Ear Nose and Throat doctor to examine your ears further.

Research at Sligo University Hospital

A team of consultants, doctors and staff from the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department conducted a year-long project to examine Irish cold water athlete’s awareness and understanding of exostoses as well as athlete’s attitudes towards preventative measures such as wearing earplugs.

The ENT team held five “Surfer’s Ear Clinics” which examined almost 100 cold water athletes, concluding that 1 in 2 athletes had Surfer’s Ear.

The Irish Institute of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery provided Dr Seamus Boyle, ENT SpR at the hospital, with financial support in the form of a small grant to progress this research. The Institute plans to work with him to expand this project, as outlined by Professor Nash Patil in the video below:

                                                                                     

Questionnaire
Calling all triathletes, surfers, open water swimmers, sub aqua and non-water athletes –  help us with our research 'To Determine Water Athletes Awareness of Surfers Ear or Exostosis and Attitudes to wearing Ear Plugs', click here

 

Information coming soon