The Health Minister is being called on to outline a firm timeline for the opening of more beds at University Hospital Limerick.
It comes as trolley numbers at the region’s main hospital soared yesterday to 80, though that number has almost halved today.
Nurses union, the INMO wants Minister Stephen Donnelly to intervene to resolve the crisis.
Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill reports.
80 people were left waiting on trolleys at UHL yesterday according to the INMO.
Once more this week, that represents the highest number since the pandemic began, and nurses say 12 patients were left on chairs in corridors overnight.
That number has dropped to 41 today, though the spiraling numbers this week have sparked major concern about what lies ahead for the winter season, particularly in light of rising cases of covid-19.
The INMO has urged the Health Minister to intervene and its Midwest Representative, Mary Fogarty says an external crisis management team should be appointed.
That call has been echoed by a Clare member of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum West.
Kilkee Fianna Fáil Councillor Cillian Murphy has also raised concern that elderly patients in fear of the overcrowding situation, are avoiding the ED, when they should be attending for emergency treatment.
Councilor Murphy says Minister Stephen Donnelly urgently needs to address blockages in the system.
Clare’s Fine Gael Senator has called on the Health Minister to outline the timeline for the completion of the 60-bed modular unit, which is expected within weeks.
Martin Conway, who is his party’s Seanad Spokesperson on Health says the unit will help alleviate pressure on the Emergency Department, but he says the focus now needs to turn to the planned 96- bed unit, which won’t be completed for a number of years.
The Ennistymon Senator insists that lessons need to be learned from the coronavirus pandemic, and says that in cases where there is a clear necessity, capital projects such as this must be fast-tracked.
