Today on Morning Focus, we spoke to Independent TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Health Committee Dr Michael Harty as overcrowding in UHL Broke Country Record with 85 people on trolleys.
The record for the highest-ever level of overcrowding at any hospital in the country has been broken once again at University Hospital Limerick. The latest INMO figures show 85 patients were waiting for a bed at the region’s main hospital yesterday, 55 of those on trolleys in the Emergency Department alone. It’s the sixth time that Dooradoyle has broken the national record, with the previous record of 82 set there in October.
The UL Hospitals Group has urged the public not to attend the ED unless in the case of an emergency, to visit your GP in the first instance and to utilise the Injury Unit at Ennis General Hospital.
Hospital management said elective surgical activity was reduced ward rounds were increased, with a view to identifying patients suitable for transfer or discharge and that measures were being taken to relieve pressure on the ED and as part of their escalation policy.
Also, Dr Harty held an information session today ( Nov 26) on his proposed PMB Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right of Health) Act 2019. The Bill will be debated in the Dáil at Second Stage next today at 8pm.
Next on Morning Focus, Kay Murphy president of Active retirement Ireland joined us on the line to discuss the survey which revealed that 20% of adults have experienced Financial Abuse. There is a seminar taking place called Get Up Get Dressed Get Moving which will be run in conjunction with the HSE. The seminar takes place on the 3rd of December in the Oakwood Hotel and all are welcome!
Next, Michael Healy Rae joined Pat on air following the publication of his second collection of wonderful tales from a forgotten Ireland, A Listening Ear. The stories in the book are both a mixture of powerful and hilarious!
Next on the show, Tommy Corbett of Carey Corbett Financial Solutions joined Pat in studio to discuss insurance claims.
Next on Morning Focus, Rory Hickey Mc for this years Éire Óg Inis fundraiser Up Town Talent, joined Pat in studio along with two of the judges, last years Irish Eurovision entry, Sarah Mc Tiernan, and Nigel Bridge, it’s his 3rd year being a judge.
Next on Morning Focus, Writer and Performer Joanne Ryan joined Pat on air to discuss her play Eggsistentialism. Limerick-born, Joanne Ryan, brings her multi award-winning, funny, tender and moving play on a 10-venue national tour. Fresh from critically-acclaimed runs in Dublin, London, Edinburgh, Malaysia, Cyprus and an award-winning tour in Australia, Eggsistentialism is a comedic piece of new Irish writing; an autobiographical journey charting the madcap odyssey Irish writer/performer Joanne Ryan embarked upon whilst trying to decide whether or not to have a child in her final fertile years, told through the prism of Ireland’s reproductive health history. Joanne is set to perform in the Belltable this Friday (Nov 29)!
To wrap up today’s Morning Focus Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote joined Pat in studio for an Animal Welfare Update.
