There was an increase of over 5% in the number of attendances in the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick last year.
The UL Hospitals Group has published its annual report, which shows a significant increase in demand after the new ED opened in May of last year.
From January to May of last year, an average of just under 5,500 people attended the old Emergency Department at Dooradoyle.
This increased by around 300, or ten people per day, after the new unit opened at the end of May.
This upturn, which followed growth in ED attendances the year before, is reflected in the UL Hospitals Group Annueal report, that trumpets the opening of the ED as a key development last year.
However, it also points to the need for further investment in bed capacity, including in the planned 96-bed block.
However, Chief Clinical Director Paul Burke also warns in his contribution that addional beds alone won’t solve the problems, and that the group must actively engage with partners to optimise how they deal with patients.
While 68,000 people attended the Emergency Department throughout last year, the report also shows that a further 30,000 people attended Local Injury Units throughout the region, including 10,600 in Ennis.
