A Clare Government TD believes re-opening an Accident and Emergency Unit in Ennis should be achieved in the medium to long term.
It’s after it emerged the CEO of the UL Hospitals Group went a period of leave within the same week of record overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick.
116 patients were without a bed at the region’s main hospital this morning, according to INMO figures, marking the seventeeth day in succession in which the trolley count at Dooradoyle has been in the triple digits.
Last week, the CEO of the UL Hospitals Group, Professor Collette Cowan took an official leave period, within the same week that the record for Irish hospital overcrowding was breached twice at UHL.
Calls are now growing from Clare’s elected representatives in both government and opposition for the executive body of ULHG to appear before an Oireachtas Committee.
Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator and Oireachtas Health Committee member, Martin Conway believes that while there must be accountability for poor patient outcomes at UHL, he insists the government will spare no expense in resolving healthcare deficits in the region.
Meanwhile, Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD believes the focus must remain on upgrading the services available at Ennis General Hospital.
Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe says while the immediate goal should be expanding operating hours at the Medical Assessment and Local Injury Units, reopening the Accident and Emergency Unit in Ennis should be a medium to long-term aspiration.
You can listen to the full interview here:
In 2017, a state of the art Emergency Department was officially opened at University Hospital Limerick, following a €24m investment, however the ED was built to cater for a maximum of 190 patients.
Last Wednesday, 270 patients attended the ED , which serves a population of 410,000 across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary.
Kilrush Independent TD Violet Anne-Wynne says her next step will be to call for the immediate resignation of the Health Minister, unless he gives a swift commitment to reinstating a model 3 hospital in Ennis.
You can listen to the full interview here:
