Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the HIQA report which reaffirms what we already know - that there is major overcrowding in the accident and emergency department at University Hospital, Limerick. It is not fit for purpose and is unacceptable for patients and the staff who do such fantastic work in the hospital.

The report discussed fast-tracking the new accident and emergency service at University Hospital, Limerick. The new building is complete with the exception of the internal fit-out for the accident and emergency unit. I have seen the building myself. My understanding is that the fit-out will not commence until November and has currently gone out to tender. Why is there a six-month delay? Why was the contract for the fit-out not in place to commence when the building was ready, which is now? What can be done to fast-track this?

We need to have the new accident and emergency facility open as a matter of urgency for the people of Limerick and the wider region. A possible interim measure would be to open the acute and medical assessment unit located above the current accident and emergency department on a 24-hour basis. When triage takes place, medical issues could be directed to the acute medical services overhead while trauma cases could be directed to the ground floor and the existing accident and emergency unit. What we need now is action. Can we bring forward the completion date for the fit-out of the accident and emergency unit at University Hospital, Limerick? What has caused the six-month delay?

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