A Clare Government TD believes HIQA has “fudged” its review of urgent and emergency care capacity in the MidWest.
It’s after the regulator outlined three options for resolving the overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Limerick, without making any clear cut recommendations for a new hospital or its location.
In its review, HIQA put forward three options; Option A is expanding University Hospital Limerick, Option B is extending the UHL campus to a second site nearby and Option C is a new Model 3 hospital with a second Emergency Department for the MidWest.
However the Health Minister has poured cold water on the possibility of a new hospital coming to the region.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has told the Dáil that HIQA’s priority will be option A or option B.
The comments have drawn criticism from local campaigners, particularly due to capacity issues already present on the Dooradoyle campus and that plans for a second 96 bed block have already been delayed by planning appeals.
HIQA has also acknowledged in its report that a continued centralisation of services at or near UHL would continue to result in further travel times and impact emergency access for some patients in the MidWest.
Friends of Ennis Hospital PRO and Kilrush resident, Deirdre Culligan says a new hospital outside of Clare would be a retrograde step.
A Clare Government TD believes, meanwhile, that HIQA has slipped-up, by failing to make a clearcut recommendation.
Last December, Clare County Council submitted a document to the health watchdog outlining potential brownfield and greenfield sites here that could take a new hospital.
Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe believes it’s the only viable long-term solution.
Listen to the full interview here
