The UL Hospitals Group says its planned opening date for the new Emergency Department at Dooradoyle is subject to funding.
The facility is scheduled to open at the end of May, but funding is still not in place.
UL Hospitals Group CEO Colette Cowan remains committed to opening the hospital’s new ED on May 29th.
She’s stuck to this date in recent months, most recently in a response to a parliamentary question sent to Labour’s Alan Kelly.
However, while 1.4 million is in place to open the unit in the final quarter of this year, another 2.7 million that’s required has yet to be provided, one month away from opening date.
Deputy Kelly says it’s extraordinary that this money hasn’t been forthcoming.
In a statement this lunchtime, the UL Hospitals group say the plans to open the ED on May 29th is subject to both recruitment and funding.
Recruitment of 94 extra staff is ongoing – some have already been hired, and more will start in the coming weeks.
Interiews with nursing students aroound permanent posts for UL nursing graduates are planned for next month.
However, the INMO says the HSE generally isn’t doing enough to secure nursing graduates, and that a lack of funding needs to be addressed.
Spokesperson Phil Ni Sheaghdha says they’re tired of the health service being used as a political football.
