Long-Term Solution To Overcrowding At UHL “At Least Five Years Away”

Photo © Pat Flynn

It’s claimed it’ll be at least five years before a long-term solution to the bed capacity problem at the region’s main hospital is in place.

Plans are afoot for a 96-bed unit to be added at University Hospital Limerick to alleviate overcrowding, while as an interim solution, management are seeking permission for a 60-bed modular block.

But those in need of care are being urged not to be put off by the problems.

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Professor Paul Burke there, the UL Hospitals Group’s Chief Clinical Director, on the level of care for patients in this county since the closure of the emergency department in Ennis.

But his words mean little to those who are directly affected by the problems there.

Helen O’Connor from Lisdoonvarna has experienced first-hand the negative impact of the overcrowding situation at UHL.

Her 82-year-old mother has spent the weekend there and from 12.30 on Friday afternoon until this morning, was on a trolley in the hospital corridor.

Since the reconfiguration of health services here in 2009, UHL has been the only emergency department serving 385,000 people.

Overcrowding issues have plagued the Midwest and despite the opening of a brand new ED last year, trolley numbers there remain high.

A 96-bed block is planned to tackle the issue and management confirmed that it will be a number of years away yet.

Clare’s Independent TD Dr Michael Harty doesn’t expect to see it operational for at least five years – and that’s the best case scenario.

Meanwhile, there has been a significant drop in the level of overcrowding at the region’s main hospital today.

The latest figures show 43 patients were waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick this morning, 18 of those in the emergency department.

That’s down from a total number of 59 on Friday.

The Dooradoyle facility is still the most overcrowded in the country, with the numbers on trolleys 13 more than the next busiest facility.