A Clare member of the Regional Health Forum West believes it will be “catastrophic” for the county if a second emergency department isn’t recommended by HIQA.
It comes as the Health Information and Quality Authority is inviting the public to give their views on Midwest healthcare to inform its ongoing independent statutory review.
In May of this year, former Health Minister Stephen Donnelly asked HIQA to conduct a review of urgent and emergency care in the Midwest region with the primary objective of ensuring safe quality acute care.
As part of the review, the health watchdog has been asked to consider the case for a second emergency department in the region in the context of recent population changes as well as the overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Limerick.
The final report is due in the summer of 2025 and speaking during a visit to Ennis last month, Taoiseach Simon Harris confirmed that an interim report will be presented early next year.
Asked if the protracted nature of the review is prolonging the suffering of patients at UHL, Director of Healthcare at HIQA Sean Egan says the additional beds being added to the facility are improving conditions in the intervening period.
To inform its review, HIQA is seeking the views of patients, family members, members of the public, healthcare professionals, representative groups and interested parties.
In order to share your opinion, you can log onto hiqa.ie and complete an engagement form, email [email protected], or alternatively send your suggestions by post to Midwest Review Team, Health Information and Quality Authority, Unit 1301, City Gate, Mahon, Co. Cork.
The public engagement process has now begun and will conclude on January 15th 2025.
Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney, who’s a member of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum West, says she would be “shocked” if the recommendation of the final report is anything other than a new emergency department in Ennis.
You can listen to the full interview here:
