Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2022
343. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a greater role for Ennis General Hospital, to meet the health needs of persons in the mid-west given the overcrowding and high trolley numbers at University Hospital Limerick. [25415/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnnis Hospital already plays an intrinsic part in the delivery of care to the people of the mid-west as part of the University of Limerick Hospital Group. The UL Hospitals Group (ULHG) is comprised of six clinical sites functioning collectively as a single hospital system providing a range of acute inpatient and day care services to a population of 473,269 people from Clare, North Tipperary and Limerick.
The importance of Ennis Hospital to the ULHG is reflected in the significant investment in services and facilities in recent years. The new Outpatients Department at Ennis Hospital opened on March 29th 2021. The enhanced facilities for patients and staff will allow for the future extension and expansion of services for the overall improvement of the patient experience at Ennis Hospital. Greater capacity, in addition to facilities that are future-proofed with ongoing advances in telehealth, will assist with efforts to reduce waiting periods and manage waiting lists. The new OPD in Ennis has 15 clinical rooms, in addition to a phlebotomy bay, four waiting areas, offices and staff changing rooms.
A new Injury Unity in Ennis Hospital has also been developed and brought into operation. The doors of the new €2m Injury Unit at Ennis Hospital opened on Friday April 8th, bringing an immediate improvement in the clinical environment and experience for healthcare staff and the thousands of patients who use this service every year.
I remain committed to improving services at University Limerick Hospital Group and ensuring patient-centred care for the people of Limerick and the Mid-West. Ennis hospital is, and will continue to be, very important to that process. The Department will continue to work with the HSE to ensure services, facilities and patient experience at ULHG continue to be developed into the future.
As the UHLG are responsible for the operation of services across the Group, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
