The Midwest Hospital Campaign insists that emergency care in this region urgently needs to be addressed ahead of the winter period.
101 patients have been left waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick this morning, according to INMO figures.
It comes as correspondance sent to Clare County Council, on behalf of the Health Minister has said that no locations, other than Dublin, Galway and Cork are under active consideration for elective-only hospitals aimed at easing capacity issues.
‘The Government decision is very clear’.
The message contained within correspondence sent to Clare County Council on behalf of the Health Minister.
It follows a motion from Councillor Johnny Flynn, requesting that Minister Stephen Donnelly urgently bring a proposal to Government for the development and construction of an elective-only hospital in the Mid-West, preferably in Ennis.
Councillor Flynn wants St Joseph’s Hospital to be utilised as such a facility, once the new 100-bed Community Nursing Unit is opened near St Flannan’s College.
But under the Sláintecare plan, increased elective capacity will be provided at Cork, Dublin and Galway, and in this recent correspondence, the Health Minister has said no other locations are under active consideration.
Ennis Councillor Johnny Flynn has dismissed the suggestion that these facilities will be sufficient and insists a twin-track approach is needed to ensure there’s adequate healthcare provision in Clare and the Midwest into the future.
A spokesperson for the Midwest Hospital Campaign has called for more immediate measures to be taken to address overcrowding though, amid concern that trolley numbers will spiral out of control this winter.
This morning, there were 101 patients waiting for a bed at University Hospital Limerick, according to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses Organisation, a record number for the summer months.
Noeleen Moran says any long term measures aimed at boosting capacity within the health service are welcome but she insists that the focus of political representatives is being divided by talk of a new elective-only hospital.
It’s reported that the Health Minister is aware of public-private disccusions surrounding such a facility at Coonagh, but she feels this is drawing attention away from more immediate issues.
