The HSE has confirmed it’s meeting with Chief Executives at the region’s main hospital on a weekly basis to ensure preparedness for the pressurised Christmas period.
Management at University Hospital Limerick are putting steps in places to ease the burden on staff over December, with overcrowding numbers at the facility having hit 100 this week for the first time since mid-November.
Almost 80,000 patients have attended the Emergency Department at the Dooradoyle facility so far this year which is 7% higher than the activity at any other hospital in the country.
Speaking at the Oireachtas Health Committee, in response to a question posed by Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway, HSE National Director Damien McCallion admits that given the pressure on staff at UHL, having a winter plan in place is vital.
Listen to the full exchange here
