The number of patients on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick has spiralled to over 130 following the weekend.
It comes as the HSE has confirmed it will not be purchasing the 53-bed Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick which is currently on the market.
According to Nurses and Midwives union, the INMO, 133 patients are without a bed at University Hospital Limerick this morning.
This means the trolley count at the MidWest region’s main hospital is greater than the next five busiest facilities in the country combined today.
Cork University Hospital is the second most overcrowded facility nationwide today with 47 patients on trolleys; 86 fewer than the total at UHL.
The ongoing situation has seen the HSE come under pressure to acquire the 53-bed Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick City for public use, when it’s existing services move to another building next year.
The hospital currently owned by Bon Secours went to market in May, leading to a motion from Fianna Fáil Cllrs Clare Colleran-Molloy, Shane Talty and Alan O’Callaghan calling for the building to be repurposed as a second MidWest Emergency Department.
In a written response to Clare TD Violet Anne-Wynne though, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed the HSE will not be purchasing Barringtons, due to the significant refurbishment costs and complex leaseholder arrangements involved.
Deputy Wynne says while she was not surprised at the decision, HIQAs upcoming review must recognise the unique difficulties facing Clare as the only county in Munster without an ED and act accordingly.
You can listen to the full interview below.
The terms of reference for HIQA’s review will be published following the completion of former Chief Justice Frank Clarke’s inquiry into the death of Shannon Teenager Aoife Johnston at UHL in December of 2022.
The report is expected in the coming weeks.
