Limerick hospital overcrowding
Deputy O'Dea highlighted HIQA's criticism of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick and asked about funding for an extra bed block at St. John's Hospital. The Taoiseach said new capacity is already being built at UHL, would inquire about St. John's, and saw advantages in more beds there.
On 21 February, HIQA made an unannounced visit to University Hospital Limerick. The press release about the report arising from that visit stated:
The emergency department remained very overcrowded with 72 patients on trolleys and chairs ... This level of overcrowding continued to impact on the privacy and dignity of patients ...
Obviously, that is unacceptable. The Taoiseach may or may not be aware that St. John's Hospital in Limerick, which is a hospital in the city centre with an outstanding reputation, has for some time made an application for funding to build an extra bed block. That would considerably alleviate the situation at UHL. It would also improve the beds-to-population ratio in the mid-west, which is the worst in the country by some distance. Has a decision been taken yet on the St. John's application? If not, when can we expect one?
Comment on this
My understanding is that, at UHL itself, the new 96-bed block is under construction and another one has been approved. I do not know what the situation is regarding an additional bed block for St. John's but I will certainly make inquiries with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and ask that he come back to Deputy O'Dea directly. I can certainly see the advantages of additional beds in St. John's. Not having an emergency department has advantages, and certainly more surgical cases could be done and more medical patients could be looked after without what happens so often in a big busy hospital, with the emergency department essentially taking over.