Tipperary TD Michael Lowry is calling on the health Minister Stephen Donnelly to reassure the people of the Mid-West Region that the situation at University Hospital Limerick(UHL) is getting urgent attention from him and his Officials in the Department of Health along with HSE officials.
Deputy Lowry issued the call during a Dáil Debate last week – the Minister was present for the Debate but only to listen and did not respond.
The Thurles based TD wanted to place on the record today that the situation at the Emergency Department in University Hospital Limerick has in his view “crossed a line.” Deputy Lowry says ‘Overcrowding has escalated from unsafe to hazardous, It poses a serious threat to patient health and safety and that even basic infection control is posing challenges.” The Dáil heard that distraught family members are tending to ill loved ones’ basic needs on corridors and in cubicles.
Deputy Lowry reports a huge number of calls and emails convening ‘anger and anxiety about the overcrowding in UHL. The TD acknowledged that a lack of investment in 2008, 2009 and 2010 when the EDs in Nenagh St John’s and Ennis hospitals were closed is a contributory factor. Despite recent investment the TD says the public are frustrated that they do not see an improvement. In addition Consultants within the hospital, medical staff including the Nursing profession, Ambulance Services personnel are all extremely concerned and have expressed such concerns to the TD.
Over 400 patient appointments for day surgery in Nenagh Hospital have been canceled since January in a bid to aid overcrowding in UHL causing concerns for these patients and their families.
