University Hospital Limerick death
Ivana Bacik raised the death of a 16-year-old at University Hospital Limerick and the ongoing overcrowding and patient safety concerns there. Coveney offered condolences, said a full HSE assessment was under way, and acknowledged the hospital remained under serious pressure.
I start by extending my deepest personal sympathy to the family of the 16-year-old girl who died three weeks ago in University Hospital Limerick. That desperately sad news was reported in the Irish Independent today by Eavan Murray, just a year after the tragic death of Aoife Johnston in the same hospital. I understand that an inquiry has been launched into the incident. That is clearly very necessary, but we are already all too aware of the serious patient safety issues that continue to prevail at UHL. A HSE internal review has already described overcrowding at UHL as endemic and stated, "There is little apparent understanding of the risks and inefficiencies caused to patient care by a crowded environment". I have already raised concerns raised by the INMO and others about overcrowding at UHL. On 7 February, UHL recorded its worst ever overcrowding when 150 patients who were ill enough to be admitted were left on trolleys or chairs. What is the Government doing to address these-----
Comment on this
-----serious issues around patient safety and overcrowding at UHL.
Comment on this
Of course I am aware of the tragic death of a 16-year-old in Limerick accident and emergency on 29 January. I express my sincere condolences to the family at what is a very tragic time. The HSE has carried out a preliminary assessment in accordance with its policy and procedure. The outcome of full HSE assessment is awaited. I cannot really comment further, as I think the Deputy will understand, until that work is completed. On the more general point, we accept that there is work to do in terms of supporting UHL in the context of the pressure it has been under.