Limerick Sinn Féin TD, Maurice Quinlivan, has provided a cautious welcome to the announcement by the HSE that a support team is to be established at UHL to ease overcrowding. 

However, he warned it must result in genuine and meaningful change for the people of Limerick and wider Midwest.

Teachta Quinlivan said:

“I welcome today’s announcement by the HSE. The issue of overcrowding at UHL is an ongoing problem that this government have failed to get to grips with. Today’s announcement comes on a day after a further 123 people were treated on trolleys at the hospital.

“While I welcome this support team, it is disappointing that it has taken so long for action to be taken. I am absolutely clear that this cannot be another promise that fails to deliver genuine change for people. Already this year we have had over 8,000 people on trolleys at UHL, a figure that exceeds the total number treated in this manner in the whole of 2016. Having staff working in these conditions is extremely unfair, having patients treated in corridors and devoid of dignity is unacceptable.

“It is important that this is a short, sharp and focused intervention that addresses some of the causes of the crisis at the hospital. Focusing on the provision of timely care for patients must be the priority of this team.

“I welcome this intervention, but the government know, and have known, the causes of this crisis for some time. The priority must be the delivery of promised beds and a compliment of medical staff to service them. Without this increase in capacity, any intervention will be a sticking plaster on a much larger wound.”