Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane, and TD for Limerick, Maurice Quinlivan, have tabled a motion outlining the urgent action which the government must take to end the crisis at UHL.
Sinn Féin’s health plan for the MidWest is focused on delivering safe and accessible urgent and emergency care services which are based on the region’s population.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“Sinn Féin has a plan to end the crisis in the MidWest and deliver safe healthcare services. We would fast track the necessary capacity to make UHL safe and deliver 24/7 urgent care at Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s Hospitals.
“Acute healthcare delivery in the MidWest Region must be safe, population based, and clinically underpinned.
“Fifteen years since the closure of Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s emergency departments, capacity at UHL is still below the recommended level. Taking into account population growth and demographic change, there is a compelling case now for a second model 3 hospital with an emergency department for the region.
“The recent Clarke report noted that the UHL site is nearing capacity. The HIQA review of emergency care must be tasked with examining a suitable location for the scaling up of services to provide a partner for UHL.
“But the people of the MidWest cannot wait years for a second model 3 hospital. The HSE must also invest in digitally assisted and high-quality home care, and urgent care alternatives in Ennis, Nenagh, and Limerick. De-escalation, better care pathways, and alternatives to the emergency department will need to be scaled up rapidly while this is underway.”
Teachta Quinlivan said:
“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 wholesale cancellation of hospital appointments across the MidWest in August was highly distressing for people, and shows that UHL is so overwhelmed that it needs to be ‘hard reset’ to cope with emergency care pressures.
“This is not a safe or fair situation. The crisis at UHL must be brought to an end. We deserve safe healthcare services. Sinn Féin has a plan to deliver capacity at UHL, and invest in emergency and urgent care across the MidWest.
“As well as investment in UHL, the MidWest needs protected capacity for scheduled care to end the disruptions and cancellations.”
