Calls are being made in Clare for the health service to be brought under the umbrella of the new Taoiseach.
It comes amid record overcrowding at hospitals across the country, with University Hospital Limerick declaring an internal incident this week.
The Health Minister is updating senior ministers on issues facing hospitals today.
As cabinet meets for the first time this year today, hospital overcrowding is at the top of the agenda, however it’s believed it’s unlikely that decisions will be made today.
Hospitals across the country are under increasing pressure as EDs deal with the perfect storm created by the circulation of the three respiratory illnesses in circulation at the moment – covid, RSV and the flu.
University Hospital Limerick’s continuing to manage what it says is an ‘unprecedented level’ of attendance at its emergency department, with outpatient appointments there cancelled again today.
Clare Independent TD, Michael McNamara has criticised Fianna Fáil leader Michael Martin for not taking steps to address the situation when he was Taoiseach.
The Scariff Deputy wants the health sytem to be brought under the office of the Taoiseach, as he fears reform of the health system won’t happen without direct intervention from the head of Government.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD believes a national strategy aimed at reducing the number of infections needs to be implemented.
Cathal Crowe, who’s a member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, has expressed confidence in the Health Minister says UHL hasn’t been left wanting in terms of funding in recent years.
But he says the immediacy of numbers attending EDs at the moment must be addressed.
Meanwhile, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has warned that strike action is not off the cards.
The union’s Midwest Representative says Government intrevention is well overdue, sayin the current situation at UHL is like “groundhog day” for staff there.
Mary Fogarty says nurses will meet later this week to dicuss their options.
