Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I speak today on behalf of the people of the mid-west including those in Limerick, Tipperary and, particularly, Clare. Clare is a county which I know well. It has a population of approximately 110,000 people. The problem is that, for the last number of years, the accident and emergency department at University Hospital Limerick in Dooradoyle has been constantly overcrowded, particularly during the winter months. Last year was one of the worst years for crowding at the hospital's accident and emergency department. At one point, the figures ranged from 80 to almost 100. Many of these people are elderly, vulnerable and extremely sick. They are left on trolleys while waiting for a bed in the hospital. It goes without saying that, once they get a bed in the hospital, they are treated very well and the care offered to them is exemplary. The problem is that they are waiting on trolleys on corridors and around the vicinity of the accident and emergency unit in very challenging and very difficult circumstances. I am sure the Minister will agree that is not acceptable in this world or in this country.

In November 2017, the then Minister, Deputy Harris, committed funding for the University of Limerick Hospital Group to build a 60-bed modular unit as a starting point to deal with the difficulties at the accident and emergency facility in the hospital in Limerick. That money was sanctioned, made available and ring-fenced. The years 2018 and 2019 have passed and 2020 is about to pass but the unit is still not up and running. Three years is a long time. A significant amount of facilities could be built in three years. The delay is completely unacceptable. Will the Minister of State confirm the date on which the new 60-bed modular unit will be up and running and when patients will be able to avail of it? The delay is totally unacceptable. I look forward to getting a specific date for when the unit at Limerick hospital will open.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his question. It is very timely as we head into the winter months and face the normal challenges we see in our acute hospitals. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the new 60-bed ward block at University Hospital Limerick.

The hospital is a model 4 hospital which provides major surgery, cancer care treatment and emergency care in the region as well as a range of other medical, diagnostic and therapeutic services. As the Senator has said, it covers Clare, Limerick, north Tipperary and other areas. All critical care services are located here and it has one of the busiest emergency departments in Ireland. It provides the only 24-7 emergency service in the University of Limerick Hospital Group.University Hospital Limerick is one of the eight designated cancer centres in the country. This 60-bed ward block will have three wards comprising of 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 bed capacity, allowing patients access to an increased overall bed stock and improve patient flow across the hospital. The nub of the Senator's question is on timelines and the 60-bed ward block at University Hospital Limerick is expected to be completed by 30 October 2020. Once the three 20-bed inpatient wards in the new building are stocked with consumables and given a final clean, they are expected to be ready to be put into operation by Monday, 9 November 2020.

The health capital allocation in 2020 is €774 million for the construction and equipping of health facilities. Additional capital of €125 million was voted in by Government to cover Covid-19 infrastructural works. The HSE capital plan determines the projects that can progress, having regard to the available capital funding, the number of large national capital projects currently under way and the relevant priority of each project.

I reiterate that the 60-bed ward is expected to be completed by 30 October, at which point the three 20-bed inpatient wards in the new building will be stocked with consumables and given a final clean. They are expected to be ready to be put into operation by Monday, 9 November 2020 so I am sure the people of that area will welcome this news today.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is extremely welcome news that the Minister of State has confirmed to me in the House today that the new 60-bed modular unit will be open in University Hospital Limerick on Monday, 9 November. That is a specific date and commitment from the Minister of State and the Government. This is extremely welcome and will come as great news for the people of County Clare, which I represent, and also the people of Limerick and north Tipperary.

This project has been going on for a long time and the difficulties and challenges at the accident and emergency unit at University Hospital Limerick have been well aired and documented over the years. This is a clear Government response to deal with the challenges and difficulties there. The investment has been made, the building has been completed, it will be up and running by Monday, 9 November and it will be accepting patients from that day on. That is great news and I thank the Minister of State on behalf of the people of the mid-west region for delivering this good news today.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to developing acute hospital services and infrastructure. University Hospital Limerick is an integral part of the University of Limerick hospital group, providing hospital services and care to the populations of Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary. The hospital provides quality patient care, delivered safely by skilled and valued staff through the best use of their available resources. This is achieved through the commitment, hard work and professionalism of all the hospital staff.

From a construction perspective, the new ward block should be ready to be operational by Monday 9 November 2020. I wish to commend all those involved on their hard work and patience in seeing the much-needed additional capacity for University Hospital Limerick come to fruition. I wish to thank Senator Conway also for his constructive approach and because I know he has raised this many times.