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Sligo University Hospital

Sligo University Hospital provides high-quality healthcare to the people of Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan.

SUH provides Acute Inpatient, Outpatient, and Day Services as well as Regional Specialty Services in Ophthalmology and Ear, Nose and Throat Services.

SUH has a Medical Academy with NUI Galway which includes clinical rotations/ education for medical students from NUI Galway on Sligo University Hospital Campus.

Sligo University Hospital is committed in line with national HSE policy to a sustainable healthcare system, which delivers high quality care and improved public health without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage. Read more about our Green Charter here

Main Phone Number: +353 (0)71 917 1111

Click here for information on our antenatal classes and breastfeeding classes 

Visiting times are: 6.30pm to 8.30pm 

Values in Action Sligo

Very enjoyable morning at Sligo Values in Action get together yesterday.

Great atmosphere and engagment, looking forward to spreading the behaviours in Sligo

SUH win at Saolta University Health Care Group Staff Recognition Awards

SUH win at Saolta University Health Care Group Staff Recognition Awards

The 3rd Saolta University Health Care Group Staff Recognition Awards took place recently in the Ardilaun Hotel Galway and Sligo University Hospital was presented with the award for the development of Anaesthesia App. The hospital was also shortlisted in the categories of Research, Education and Training and Innovation - Clinical Area.
 

Remembrance Service to take place at SUH

Remembrance Service to take place at SUH

Sligo University Hospital will hold a Remembrance Service for all bereaved parents and families who have experienced the loss of a child. The service will take place in the Outpatients Department on Level 3 on Wednesday November 22nd at 7.30pm

Parents who have experienced the death of a child, baby or pregnancy loss at any stage, together with their family, friends and hospital staff, are all welcome to attend this service.

Sligo University Hospital win prestigious Pakman Award for Waste Management

Portiuncula University Hospital’s Bernie McGuire received the Unsung Hero award across the six hospitals in the Group.

Sligo University Hospital (SUH) was named as the 2017 Winners of the prestigious Pakman award for Food Waste Management sponsored by Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment at the third annual Pakman awards ceremony, which took place in Dublin recently. 

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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