Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD has expressed hope that the opening of the long awaited modular unit at University Hospital Limerick will help ease chronic overcrowding at the Dooradoyle facility.
The Health Minister has confirmed that the first phase of the 60-bed block will open next Monday, with a 20 bed ward coming on stream.
40 further beds will come on stream in December and January.
Meelick Deputy Cathal Crowe believes the 19 million euro development will help ease pressure, but he admits more work needs to be done.
The UL Hospitals Group has been funded to recruit approximately 500 additional staff to support the additional bed capacity at UHL and other initiatives under the Government’s Winter Plan.
Hospital Management says staff and patient safety will remain the highest priority and they’ll work constructively with staff and representatives to achieve the shared goal of opening additional bed capacity in the coming weeks.
A prominent Clare health campaigner has expressed doubt however that the new beds will significantly impact the levels of overcrowding being witnessed at the hospital.
Former member of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum West and Barefield Independent Councillor, Ann Norton has been telling me that more advance planning is needed.
