University Hospital Limerick trolleys
Deputy Quinlivan raises severe trolley numbers and winter pressures at University Hospital Limerick and asks what will be done. The Taoiseach points to the new €600 million winter initiative and says he will bring the concerns to the Minister.
Page 47 of the programme for Government refers to increased capacity in hospitals. Last week, every single day, in University Hospital Limerick there was an average of 50 people on trolleys. Yesterday, there were 62 people on trolleys and today, unfortunately, there are 69 people, although they were not all on trolleys because the nurses told me they ran out of trolleys. The winter is approaching. It is now autumn and the flu season is upon us. What is the Taoiseach going to do? Is the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, going to intervene? We understand building is going on and new modular units are being built, but I understand no staff have been organised yet. Will the Taoiseach personally intervene at University Hospital Limerick because it is beyond a joke at this stage?
Comment on this
Yes, I will. Obviously, the winter initiative funding that was announced today is an additional €600 million, with €200 million on top of existing resources to the end of this year and €400 million for the early part of 2021. That is available now to deal with both the human resources requirements for the hospital system, particularly on the emergency side, and also other measures to reduce pressures on emergency departments. I will bring the Deputy’s points to the attention of the Minister later today.