Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 February 2024
147. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he plans to open an accident and emergency department in Nenagh and or Ennis hospitals, given the terrible situation regarding access to University Hospital Limerick; and if not, his new plans to alleviate overcrowding in UHL. [9472/24]
View answerI am aware of calls for Emergency Departments to be provided in Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals. The recent clinical advice that I requested strongly advises against this course. Patients who require urgent and emergency care are better served by a larger hospital. University Hospital Limerick is equipped with the essential supporting services that patients need.
Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals are Model 2 Hospitals. Under the Smaller Hospitals Framework, Model 2 Hospitals provide less complex care.
We are targeting developments across the Midwest region to alleviate pressure on the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick. In 2023, funding of €5.2m was allocated this year to the Medical Assessment Units (MAUs) in the three Model 2 hospitals within the region. As a result, these MAUs are now operating 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Furthermore, a 112/999 pathway introduced for all three MAUs in February 2023. This allows patients that meet agreed clinical criteria to be transferred by ambulance and treated in a Model 2 hospital.
Model 2 hospitals accept transfers of appropriate patients from University Hospital Limerick daily. These patients can either be stepped down from an inpatient ward or they may, where a clinician has decided it is appropriate, transfer directly from the Emergency Department in University Hospital Limerick.
This Government has made significant and sustained investment in acute services at University Hospital Limerick and across the Midwest region. I and my Department will continue to engage closely with the HSE on the delivery of quality services to people in the Midwest.
