Consultants are warning those in need of emergency care this Easter Bank Holiday weekend not to put off attending the region’s main hospital.
It follows an appeal from the UL Hospitals Group for less acutely ill patients to consider ED alternatives, such as the Injury Unit at Ennis General.
The UL Hospitals Group has warned of long waits for less acutely ill patients in the ED ahead of the Easter Bank holiday weekend, as it manages high demand for emergency and inpatient care.
More than 700 patients presented at the Dooradoyle facility in the first half of this week alone, with 111 on trolleys there yesterday morning, according to INMO figures.
The HSE has announced an allocation of €5.2m to extend operating hours at Medical Assesment Units in Nenagh & St. John’s from this weekend, with the funding also securing the already extended service at Ennis General into the future.
It’s hoped this will help alleviate some pressure on the ED, but a Clare member of the MidWest Hospitals Campaign Group believes such measures need to be accessible around the clock to have a real impact.
Ballyvaughan native Noeleen Moran also still maintains the restoration of the regions Model 3 facilities is the only viable solution to chronic overcrowding.
Meanwhile, Consultants in Limerick are concerned that overcrowding pressures will remain a significant long-term concern and result in even more cancelled appointments and operations in the months ahead.
They’re calling for bed capacity to be significantly increased, and operating theatre usage maximised, across the UL Hospitals Group.
A new 96-bed unit is under construction at UHL, but it will be two years to complete and will only offer 48 additional beds, as half of the stock will replace old beds, while a second 96-bed block is still only in the planning stages.
General Secretary of the IHCA, Martin Varley says the problems playing out week after week are resulting from the service operating at above 100% occupancy, rather than the internationally recommended 85%.
However the insists these problems shouldn’t act as a deterant to people who urgently need emergency care.
You can listen to the full interview below.
