Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2015
12. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the persistent problems in the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2404/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that the Emergency Department in University Hospital Limerick is under pressure. As part of a comprehensive building programme at the hospital, a new Emergency Department will be completed and operational in 2016. Pending its completion, a number of initiatives have been put in place to address current limitations for patients and staff.
A 22 bed Emergency Department overflow area has been provided, staffed by additional nursing and support staff.
As part of the Group’s escalation plan and in line with best practice, lower acuity in-patients are routinely transferred to Ennis, Nenagh and St. John’s, thus freeing up beds in University Hospital Limerick for patients from the Emergency Department. A separate paediatric emergency area has also been opened, providing a separate child friendly environment.
As well as these initiatives, University of Limerick Hospitals Group has developed several processes to improve emergency services. This includes a daily teleconference for all hospitals in the Group, led by a senior manager, with a focus on patient flow, risks and resource challenges. Multidisciplinary teams are in place to review, plan and manage demand and capacity on a daily basis within the hospital. There is extensive collaboration with the community sector to facilitate the transfer, back to the community or into long term care, of patients whose discharge may otherwise be delayed.
The HSE, through its Acute Hospitals Directorate and Special Delivery Unit, continues to support the University Hospital Limerick team in developing interim and long term sustainable solutions to deal with bed capacity, excessive trolley waits and overcrowding in the Emergency Department.
