Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am very well aware of the situation in University Hospital Limerick and have direct experience from a family point of view.

I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the capital development projects at University Hospital Limerick, UHL. UHL is a model 4 Hospital and provides major surgery, cancer care treatment and emergency care in the region, as well as a range of other medical, diagnostic and therapy services. All critical care services are located here and it has one of the busiest emergency departments in Ireland with annual attendances of approximately 65,000 presentations and the only 24-7 emergency service in the University of Limerick Hospital Group. UHL is one of eight designated cancer centres.

A new emergency department opened at UHL in May 2017.

The new facility is triple the size of the old emergency department and immeasurably improves the experience of patients in terms of their comfort, privacy and dignity. The new emergency department is equipped with a CT scanner, which is considered international best practice.

As the Deputy will be aware, there are two distinct proposals for the development of ward accommodation at UHL. The HSE is working towards appointing a design team for the 96-bed acute ward block there. The timeframe for the completion of the project will be informed by the work of the project team, which will be undertaken in conjunction with UHL and the HSE. The required capital allocation for the project is being reviewed in preparing the 2019 capital plan.

The Minister for Health recognises that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months. Increasing capacity is therefore a priority for the Government. Over the past 12 months, an additional 240 beds have been opened, including 17 short-stay beds in UHL. The HSE's national service plan 2019 provides for a comprehensive capacity programme. This includes eight additional beds for UHL, five of which have already opened as part of the winter plan 2018-2019.

Last autumn, the Minister announced that a modular ward block would be built at UHL to provide interim accommodation. This 60-bed block will have three wards comprising 20 single-room occupancy with en suite facilities, two of which will be full isolation facilities and will provide care and treatment for patients from admission to discharge. The 60 single rooms will improve patient comfort, safety, privacy and dignity and assist with the management of infection control in the hospital. The additional 60 beds will also directly increase capacity, allowing patients access to an increased overall bedstock and improve patient flow across the hospital.

The Minister has set the construction of the UHL modular ward block as a priority. Following the publication of the national service plan for 2019, the HSE is currently finalising its capital plan or 2019 and funding will be provided to allow this important project to progress.

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