Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, and candidate for Mayor of Limerick, Maurice Quinlivan TD, have today launched the party’s plan to fix Midwest health services.

The plan calls on government to end the dangerous recruitment embargo and fast-track 288 additional beds for University Hospital Limerick to get ahead of the constant crisis in the emergency department.

It outlines a number of measures across the hospital, community services, primary care, and GP services that are needed to resolve the crisis at University Hospital Limerick.

It also commits to establishing the full need for emergency department capacity in the region, reviewing the closures of Ennis and Nenagh emergency departments, and determining the safest configuration of services into the future which factors in population growth.

 Teachta Cullinane said:

“Sinn Féin’s plan to fix Midwest health services outlines our commitments to end the recruitment embargo, invest in 288 additional inpatient beds, review the closure of Ennis and Nenagh emergency departments, establish the full need for additional ED capacity in the region, and determine the safest configuration of emergency services on the basis of best practice and clinical evidence.  

“The Government should end the recruitment embargo, urgently fund and fast-track 288 additional inpatient beds for the Midwest to end overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick and get ahead of the problem.  

“Government is constantly falling behind which has allowed overcrowding to spiral dangerously. They must fund additional step-down and community nursing beds, as well as home care, in the region to provide more discharge options.  Investment is needed across home care, GP services, out-of-hours services, and extended Pharmacy hours and services to reduce pressure on the emergency department.  

“All of these measures are needed to improve patient flow in and out of the hospital, reduce presentations at the emergency department, and provide better quality care closer to home.”

Teachta Quinlivan added:

“Urgent government action is required to address the health crisis in Limerick and the MidWest. Short-term sticking plasters will not deliver the change that is needed, and which the people of the Midwest deserve.

“The latest HIQA inspection demonstrated that University Hospital Limerick is severely constrained by a lack of bed capacity both in the hospital and in the community. The hospital is routinely overcrowded, which is degrading, not compliant with a human-rights approach to care, and strips patients of their dignity.  The report clearly identifies significant and severe patient safety risks, which are not being effectively managed. 

“As well as ending the recruitment embargo, Sinn Féin’s plan outlines how we would invest in 288 additional inpatient beds, review the closure of Ennis and Nenagh emergency departments, establish the full need for additional ED capacity in the region, and determine the safest configuration of emergency services on the basis of best practice and clinical evidence. It also contains a series of measures across primary, community, and hospital services that are needed to deliver safe, quality, human rights-compliant care in the Midwest.

“Instead of lurching from crisis to crisis, the government must act and get to grips with healthcare in the Midwest. Sinn Féin has a clear plan that would deliver the change that people need.”

Sinn Féin’s Plan to fix Midwest Health Services can be read here.