Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute to the University Hospital Limerick, UHL, staff, who work under extreme pressure. Attendances there at the emergency department, ED, have increased by 18.5% over the past four years, while it is projected that approximately 71,000 people will visit that ED this year alone. Will the Minister of State convey the outcome of this debate to the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris? It is important that he confirms funding support for the 60 bed modular unit and that he confirms he supports the winter admissions plan put forward by management at UHL, which includes ten additional beds, a 24-7 medical assessment unit, MAU, a 24-7 surgical assessment unit and a second ED surgical theatre for weekends. These initiatives will help address the severe, chronic overcrowding at UHL, and it is important that the Minister of State conveys these sentiments to the Minister and that he responds to us.

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