Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister give me his view regarding the feasibility of the proposal to extend the opening hours of the medical assessment unit at Nenagh Hospital? The idea and principle of expanding the opening hours of the medical assessment units at Nenagh and Ennis are understandable and logical. This could work if implemented properly. It would create more activity in Nenagh Hospital and mean that patients from north Tipperary could be referred by GPs to Nenagh rather than to Limerick. Patients could be assessed and triaged in Nenagh and only those who needed to be would be sent to Limerick. It would alleviate the pressure on accident and emergency services at University Hospital Limerick. It would also help to rotate beds faster for patients from north Tipperary who need acute care in Limerick. There is only one big problem - it is not working in practice. The existing medical assessment unit in Nenagh is malfunctioning and not being used to its full potential.

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