A new model three hospital is one of three options recommended by HIQA to address ongoing overcrowding issues in the Midwest.
The Health Information and Quality Authority is today published its independent review to inform decision-making on the design and delivery of urgent and emergency healthcare services in HSE Mid West.
This review was conducted jointly by the Healthcare Regulation and Health Technology Assessment Directorates within HIQA, in response to a request in May 2024 by then Health Minster Stephen Donnelly.
As part of the request, HIQA was asked to consider a case for a second emergency department in the region.
HIQA says the review was prompted by significant concerns for patient safety in the Midwest, which remained the utmost priority informing the advice provided to the Health Minister.
It says the review was delivered with the support of a number of organisations and individuals, including patients and their families, whom it has thanked for their contributions.
HIQA found the core issue impacting urgent and emergency healthcare delivery in HSE Mid West is the significant inpatient bed capacity deficit, relative to demand from patients presenting with more serious of complex care needs.
It says this is intensified by an ever-growing demand for services, which will continue into the future, as highlighted by ESRI projections for the period up to 2040.
It goes on to say that the current situation caused by the demand-capacity gap at University Hospital Limerick and across HSE Mid West, presents a risk to patient safety.
HIQA’s advice highlighted an immediate need for action and investment to address current risks for patient safety in the shortest timeframe and safest way possible, and it’s stated that the solution must also have regard for the ESRI projected capacity requirements to 2040.
The health watchdog has presented the Minister for Health with three options for how this might be achieved.
Option A involves the expansion of capacity at UHL on the Dooradoyle site.
Option B involves the extension of the UHL hospital campus, to include a second site in close proximity, under a shared governance and resourcing model.
Option C involves the development of a Model 3 hospital in HSE Mid West, providing a second Emergency Department for the region.
HIQA is of the view that Option A or B will likely yield the required inpatient capacity in the Midwest within a shorter timeframe, addressing the immediate risk to patient safety.
It says that Option C may have the potential to meet longer-term bed requirements, but would be least capable of addressing immediate capacity deficits.
HIQA says given that the ESRI projections span a wide range in terms of additional beds required, it will be important to ensure that decisions made around the future design and delivery of emergency healthcare services enable flexibility in how services are planned and developed.
In a statement to Clare FM, the health watchdog’s Director of Healthcare Regulation has said that in working to progress any of these options, HIQA recommends the development of a comprehensive strategic plan.
Sean Egan says this should remain focused on addressing safety concern that prompted the review, while having regard for the future demographic and policy considerations.
Campaign Groups such as the Friends of Ennis Hospital and the Midwest Hospitals Campaign Group have long campaigned for a second Emergency Department for the region with calls for such a facility to be located here in Clare.
Today, there were 133 patients waiting for a bed at University Hospital Limerick, according to the latest figures published by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
The overall figure is 42 more than all ten hospitals serving the east of the country combined.
You can read the full HIQA review here
Statement from the Department of Health
“The Minister for Health notes the publication today by HIQA of their independent and expert review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the HSE Mid-West Region.
The HIQA report is detailed and comprehensive and includes their Advice to the Minister, along with a number of detailed output reports from the review workstreams, which included stakeholder consultation, regulatory inspections, data analysis and international evidence reviews. HIQA’s review identifies three potential options for Ministerial consideration.
A substantial volume of work was undertaken for this review by HIQA, the ESRI, the Expert Advisory Group and all the stakeholders who contributed to the various workstreams in particular to the public consultation. The Minister is grateful to all for their time.
The Minister has accepted the report and Advices from HIQA. Along with her officials, she will consider the comprehensive and detailed reports and Advices provided by HIQA, including the three options identified, and report back to Government on these options and considerations.”
