Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2021
180. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the high trolley numbers at University Hospital Limerick will impact capacity; the reason for approving the transfer of maternity functions to a location that is already at over capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62039/21]
View answerIt is acknowledged that acute bed capacity shortages in the Mid-West are a major contributor to overcrowding at the ED in UHL. As the Deputy will be aware, €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure were provided nationally as part of the Winter Plan and Budget 2021 to fund additional beds on a permanent basis in our acute hospitals. As part of this, 132 beds were opened in the UL Hospital Group, with 98 of these new beds opened in UHL. The provision of these beds over the past year has been a significant step in addressing the capacity issue in the Mid West.
This included a 24 single-room bed block which functions as dedicated Haematology Oncology Unit, and a temporary 14-bed single room block designated for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients. These blocks were initiated in May 2020 under the National Action Plan in Response to COVID-19.
This also included the 60-bed modular ward block, which became operational in November 2020 and which was established to provide a rapid build interim solution to begin to address the bed capacity issue at UHL and improve patient flow. The €19.5m four-storey ward block provides modern, single-room inpatient accommodation. As well as an improved experience for patients in terms of comfort, privacy, and dignity; it allows greater isolation of patients and improved infection prevention and control capabilities. The 60-bed block comprises four stories, with three inpatient wards of 20 single rooms each.
In addition, the development of the new 4-storey, 96 single bed acute inpatient ward block extension at University Hospital Limerick has full planning permission, fire certification and is fully designed. The project is currently out to tender with tenders due to be returned in late January 2022. The tenders received will then be evaluated, and it is anticipated that the works contract will be awarded in early Quarter 2 2022 subject to HSE Board approval and funding availability.
The HSE Winter Preparedness Plan for Winter 21/22 was published on the 15th November. The Plan centres on three core objectives: ED avoidance, patient flow and hospital egress to mitigate the expected challenges in providing emergency care this winter while also continuing to respond to Covid 19.
The Plan recognises that a whole system response is required and outlines how the HSE proposes to manage these challenges across primary, community and acute care including measures to allow the public system to access private healthcare capacity.
This plan endorses a home first approach, enabling and facilitating patients to receive the most appropriate care in their own homes and communities.
In line with best international practice, it is Government policy, as re-iterated in the National Maternity Strategy and the National Development Plan 2021-2030, that the remaining standalone maternity hospitals, including the University Limerick Maternity Hospital (UMHL), should be co-located with adult acute hospitals. In addition, in the context of promoting women’s health, the Programme for Government commits to progress the planning, tender and design stages for the relocation of UMHL to University Hospital Limerick. Co-location of maternity services with adult services provides mothers with access to a full range of medical and support services should the need arise. The availability of these services helps ensure the delivery of an optimum, safe service, particularly for high-risk mothers and babies.
