Dr. Peadar Gilligan:

It has been a major concern for us in the IMO and everyone involved in healthcare that crowded environments are more difficult to decant from in the event of an emergency like a fire breaking out. That fire has broken out but it is now called Covid. Crowded situations would allow the spread of this disease. We can never go back to a situation where the UHL emergency department, or any other hospital or emergency department, has crowded wards. We have been saying this for many years, and many Deputies have noted it as well. We now absolutely must have the capacity and bed numbers in place in order that we can safely provide care and safely remove patients from potential risk in the event of an emergency.