Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:441. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on the recent HIQA report with respect to University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31902/23]
View answerThursday, 29 June 2023
Questions (441)
Written answers
In February 2023, HIQA inspected University Hospital Limerick (UHL) to assess compliance with 11 national standards and to assess progress in addressing issues identified by HIQA in March 2022.
HIQA found UHL to be partially or substantially compliant in most standards, with non-compliance in two national standards. HIQA found that where service users’ dignity, privacy and autonomy should be respected and promoted the emergency department (ED) was non-compliant. UHL was also non-compliant with standards relating to the physical environment. It should be noted that, HIQA found that the majority of initiatives arising from the increased support and resourcing of UHL were in the process of being implemented. While there is more to be done in UHL, particularly in relation to the ED, I am glad to see that there have been improvements since HIQA's previous inspection in March last year. The HSE, including UHL and UL Hospital Group, prepared a Compliance Plan to address HIQA’s findings and this Plan is being implemented. I am confident that the measures set out in the Compliance Plan will help to address the issues raised in HIQA’s report. The significant support provided to UHL, and the considerable additional investment in recent years, has played a major part in the improvements noted by HIQA. For example, since HIQA’s last inspection, there has been significant recruitment into the ED both in terms of doctors and nurses, which has facilitated additional rostering for consultants in emergency medicine as well as ensuring improvements in safe staffing levels in the ED.In addition, 150 additional beds have been brought online in the UL Hospital Group since January 2020, 98 of which have been in UHL. In addition to the national Winter Plan, there were bespoke site-level plans, including for Limerick. The local plans focused on local needs and build on integration between the community and acute hospital services. Work on a new 96-bed inpatient block for UHL commenced in October 2022 and the Government is also committed to the delivery of a second 96-bed inpatient block at UHL. There has also been investment in other hospitals within the UL Hospital Group, which is helping to alleviate the pressure in UHL’s ED. This includes investment in the new €2m purpose-built Injury Unit at Ennis Hospital, which opened last year and more recent investment in the Medical Assessment Units (MAUs) in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospital to enable them to operate 7-days per week. The MAU pathway for 112/999 patients commenced at both Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals earlier this year, which allows stable medical patients meeting agreed clinical criteria to be treated in a Model 2 hospital. It is envisaged that this pathway will be operational in St John’s Hospital in the near future.In addition, complementary to the development of the new Elective Hospitals, Limerick has been included as one of five regional scheduled care hubs, and the HSE national working group is tasked with identifying a site for rapid delivery of a surgical care hub in the Limerick region.
I assure the Deputy that the issues raised in the HIQA report, while concerning, are being addressed. The Department will continue to work with the HSE to ensure the necessary support is in place for the improvement of services for all patients in the Midwest region.