Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. On 28 September, the INMO branded Sligo University Hospital a safety hazard. That is not politics and it is not me saying it. The INMO does not do this lightly. That is where we are at the moment. The INMO has called for an urgent inspection by HIQA because of the increased overcrowding and safety issues for patients and staff. I hear what the Tánaiste says about diagnostics. That will work in two or three years; it will feed into the system. I also hear what the Tánaiste says about the 51 emergency consultants. How many of them will be coming to Sligo? I understand that there are four ICU beds in Sligo not opened because the HSE is not sanctioning the required staff. Did budget 2023 ensure the deployment of the 30 additional staff needed for Sligo University Hospital? This is what we want to hear. I do not expect the Tánaiste to wave a magic wand today such that the waiting list will disappear tomorrow but I want to see some kind of immediate action so the people attending the hospital and its staff will know some support will be in place for this winter and next spring.

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