Sinn Féin European Election Candidate, Senator Paul Gavan, has warned that short-term measures at UHL will not deliver the genuine and meaningful change that patients need.

His comments come amid the news that the hospital will station GPs at A&E doors to screen patients.

Commenting, the Limerick Senator stated:

“There is understandably much anxiety in the local community, following the deeply distressing events uncovered by the inquest into the death of Martin Abbott. This gentleman and his family deserved to know that he would be safe at UHL and receive the care he needed. I again offer my sincere condolences to Mr Abbott’s family on the devastating loss of a much-loved husband and father, as well as the wider community and all who knew him.

“It is clear that the crisis at UHL gets worse and worse with every day that passes. Nothing short of genuine and meaningful change is needed. I, and my colleague Limerick TD Maurice Quinlivan, have been demanding change for years, yet government has failed to act.

“The key issue here is capacity and staffing. Placing a gatekeeper at the hospital may help with a temporary alleviation of the number of patients. However, it does nothing to address the issues at the very heart of this crisis. We need to see alternative pathways to primary care and a robust, deliverable plan for step down beds.

“The time for short-term sticking plasters and lip service is long gone. Patients must see urgent, meaningful change so they can be confident that they will receive the timely, quality care they deserve.

“The people of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary deserve better. They can’t wait any longer. Government must finally get to grips with this appalling crisis.”