Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
808. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on his recent visit to University of Limerick Hospital, Dooradoyle and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital; the persons and groups he met;the actions he intends to take arising from his visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11723/22]
View answerI recently visited UHL to meet patients, staff, and management at the hospital. During that visit I met with the CEO of University Limerick Hospital Group, as well as the Executive management team and staff, to discuss the hospital's A&E Department and the issue of overcrowding. The Group have reported that they are continuing to deal with high volumes of patients attending University Hospital Limerick Emergency Department, a pattern that has been sustained over a number of months and is being replicated around the country. The emergency department in Limerick is one of the busiest in the country with over 76,000 attendances in 2021, up 16% compared to 2020 and up 7% on 2019.
I also visited Croom Orthopaedic Hospital to view the new theatre suite which was also recently opened. The brand new €15m theatre suite has four operating theatres which will increase the hospital’s surgical capacity volume by 100 per cent and includes a new Sterile Services Department, a reception area, a first stage recovery room and other ancillary support spaces.
My Department will continue to work with the HSE to support University Limerick Hospital Group to further develop and provide healthcare services to the people of the mid-west region.
