It’s understood a third 96-bed block will be needed to meet patient demand at the region’s main hospital.
A virtual meeting took place yesterday between the Taoiseach, Health Minister, hospital management and local Oireachtas representatives after an internal incident was declared at University Hospital Limerick on January 2nd.
The meeting heard how the current 96-bed block will take two years to complete, with plans for a second 96-bed block expected to be submitted to the HSE in the first quarter of this year.
However a third block of the same size will be needed and Clare’s Green Party Senator, Róisín Garvey, is questioning whether the planning process can be expediated in order to increase bed capacity at UHL as a matter of urgency.
Listen to the full interview here:
Statement from the UL Hospitals Group
Work commenced on a 96-bed block at UHL in October 2022 and the project will take two years to construct.
A second 96-bed block, as provided for in the UHL site masterplan, is currently being planned with HSE Capital & Estates. We expect that plans will be submitted to the HSE nationally for the second 96-bed block in the first quarter of this year.
Prof Colette Cowan, CEO, UL Hospitals Group, said: “This was a very valuable engagement initiated by Minister Donnelly. We listened carefully to all concerns raised by Oireachtas members and we look forward to working with all public representatives in better meeting the growing demand for healthcare in the region into the future.
“It was encouraging that the unique core challenges faced by this region in relation to bed capacity and staffing were acknowledged by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health and by our Public Representatives. We have passed on the thanks of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health to all staff who have worked long hours to look after patients in very difficult circumstances in recent weeks.”
Maria Bridgeman, Chief Officer, HSE Mid West Community Healthcare, added: “I welcome this opportunity to meet with the Taoiseach, Minister and local Oireachtas representatives. Staff working across community services are playing an important role in assisting patients and service users, and I want to join the Minister in conveying our thanks for their efforts. I look forward to continuing to work with the government in the further expansion of Community Services across all care divisions, bringing more benefits of the Sláintecare programme to the people of the Mid West.”
