David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We need a comprehensive review of healthcare services in the mid-west. I would, in fact, argue that one of the first regional health areas should be established in that area. We need to properly align community care, primary care and acute care. We must also consider capacity in Nenagh Hospital, Ennis Hospital and St. John's Hospital. I know the hospital group has advocated for an elective hospital in the mid-west. There is possibly merit in that. I know that representatives of the group have met the Minister on that issue. That might be one of the solutions. I certainly believe we need to consider increasing capacity in Nenagh and Ennis. The question of whether that is emergency department capacity is something that would have to be clinically assessed but elective capacity can certainly be considered to take the pressure off.

It is not difficult to understand what is happening in our emergency departments. It is partly a result of Covid but if people cannot get access to out-of-hours GP care, they will go to their local emergency department. If they cannot get access to an injury unit quickly enough, they will go to an emergency department. Far too many people are attending emergency departments. Admission avoidance is necessary and we need a plan to make it happen.

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