Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
52. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health about the record number of patients being treated on hospital trolleys at University Hospital Limerick, and the immediate, medium- and long-term steps being taken to address this crisis. [7905/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs steps taken to address patients being treated on trolleys are a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
I am committed to improving access to acute services in the Midwest. This commitment has been underpinned by significant investment by this Government in capacity and staffing at University Hospital Limerick. Total staffing increased at the hospital by over 37% from December 2019 to November 2023, from 2,814 to 3,854. This represents 146 more doctors, 45 more consultants, 348 more nurses and midwives, and 84 more health and social care professionals. Since 2019 the budget for University Hospital Limerick increased by 45% - from €265 million in 2019 to €383 million last year.
We are also investing in additional bed capacity in the Midwest. 150 additional beds have been opened in the University of Limerick Hospital Group since 2020. 98 of these new beds are in University Hospital Limerick. We are building two further new 96-bed inpatient blocks. We have also funded additional services and infrastructure in local Model 2 hospitals to strengthen the overall health system in the Midwest. This includes €5.2 million in 2023 to expand Medical Assessment Units in Nenagh, Ennis and St. John's. These Units now operate 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I and my Department are continuing to engage with the HSE on the delivery of improvements at UHL.
