University Hospital Limerick tragedy
Deputy Wynne raised the anniversary of a young woman’s death after prolonged waiting in UHL and described wider pressures at the hospital. The Taoiseach offered condolences, noted the HSE review and said there had been significant investment and additional beds.
In just six days, it will be one year since the heartbreaking death of a beautiful young girl in UHL after she lay in the accident and emergency department for 12 hours with untreated sepsis. As a parent, there is no worse nightmare than what her family went through on that day. I again express my deepest sympathies for their loss.
In the days following her death and into the Christmas period, the wheels truly fell off at UHL. A major internal incident was declared. At the same time, Shannondoc became completely overwhelmed, dealing, on average, with one patient every minute. Calls went unanswered, which meant my constituents were denied basic access to healthcare over Christmas and into the new year. They cannot be left to face this scenario again. What measures have the Taoiseach and the Government put in place at UHL to deal with surge capacity over the Christmas period? I want assurances the HSE will be holding a microscope over the poor management of UHL. I want to know how Shannondoc will be supported to avoid collapse. The Taoiseach should be under no illusion. If we see a repeat of the fiasco that went on last year, I will be seeking accountability on behalf of County Clare.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. There were quite a number of questions there and I will not be able to answer them in the time allowed. I offer my sincere condolences to Aoife's family on their tragic loss. I understand the HSE has received the review in recent days and is considering the serious and significant issues that arise. Its representatives have offered to meet the family privately to discuss the matter further.
There has been considerable investment in University Hospital Limerick in recent years. Since this Government came into office, an additional 150 beds have been opened across the group, with 98 of them in UHL alone. Work is under way on a new 96-bed inpatient block. That is under way. There have been increases in budget and staff, and a close eye is being kept on management and clinical leadership because both are as necessary as resources when it comes to reducing overcrowding.