Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a report (details supplied) into the conditions at University Hospital Limerick. [52052/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the publication of Deloitte’s report on 30 September 2022, which outlines patient flow challenges experienced within University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and Deloitte's recommendations in this regard. This report provides an important opportunity for a renewed focus on measures to improve the quality and safety of emergency services delivered to the people of the Midwest region by University Hospital Limerick. 

The Deloitte review was commissioned by the CEO of the University of Limerick Hospital Group in March this year. The primary objectives of the review were to identify the source of patient flow challenges in UHL and determine possible opportunities to enhance the existing approach and reflect on the effectiveness and impact of patient flow initiatives introduced to date. The report includes recommendations relating to process, supporting infrastructure, staffing, and ICT. While some of the recommendations can be implemented locally, others require an integrated response with community services.

In parallel to this review, the HSE’s Performance Management and Improvement Unit (PMIU) has led an intensive engagement with UHL team members throughout the summer in response to my concerns about the hospital raised with the HSE in April this year.

The PMIU are cognisant of both the findings and recommendations of the Deloitte report and those of the HIQA report following HIQA's unannounced inspection of the ED in Limerick in March. The recommendations of these reviews will continue to inform planning for University Hospital Limerick, including the bespoke initiatives for UL Hospitals Group and CHO Mid-West that form part of the HSE Winter Plan 2022/2023 and the longer-term national 3-year Unscheduled Care Improvement Plan that is in development by the HSE.