Management in the UL Hospitals Group admit the region’s new Emergency Department won’t relieve overcrowding problems there.
The long awaited ED at University Hospital Limerick has opened it’s doors to patients for the first time today following a 24 million euro investment.
A shadow of doubt was cast over the opening of the new state of the art Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick last week, after nurses expressed concerns over staffing and measures aimed at tackling trolley numbers.
But fears have been allayed after last minute talks led to the immediate appointment of a clinical skills facilitator as well as resolutions to issues relating to staff rosters and CT scans.
Today, frontline staff are treating the first patients through the doors of the 24 million euro facility in Dooradoyle after doors opened at 8 o’clock this morning.
CEO of the UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan believes the new facility will be much easier for patients to navigate.
While, ED consultant Dr Cormac Mehigan says the improved facility will help speed up the flow of patients with minor complaints.
But the Chair of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum West has no doubt that overcrowding issues won’t be relieved by the opening of the new ED.
Tom McNamara says is calling for additional fuding in the mid-term review of the capital programme, saying the only way to reduce trolley numbers is with the provision of additional beds.
