David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I echo points made about University Hospital Limerick. There is a need for a full independent review into that hospital. That is not to apportion blame. There is a crisis in many acute hospitals but there is a real problem in Limerick. There are accountability issues as well. While we rightly acknowledge the capacity issues in hospitals, and it is our job as politicians to make sure the health service is properly equipped, has the resources and staff and that policies are in place to ensure hospitals are fit for purpose, there is also a need for accountability and it seems to me there is a lack of accountability in some hospitals. In fact, there is a lack of accountability across the HSE. There is a need for this committee to call for and support an independent review into what is happening in Limerick because it is not fair on patients or staff. Every week we hear horror stories of patients waiting far too long.

My final point relates to something in the opening statement from the INMO. The fact we have become desensitised to what is happening in our hospitals and hospital trolley waits is something in and of itself. The INMO rightly said we should take a zero tolerance approach to emergency department waits. Such an approach being adopted by Government, Opposition and across the political system means we have to commit resources and, when they are committed, any failures in management need to be addressed. It is unacceptable that day after day and week after week the trolley figures are published and are the same if not worse. It is not being resolved. I echo and support the calls made for a review into University Hospital Limerick.