OIREACHTAS members for Limerick and Clare want to see all three options proposed by health watchdog HIQA to increase hospital capacity and bed numbers acted on in tandem.
They demand this in the place of any one single option outlined in the recent review report on emergency care in the Mid West.
At a meeting in Limerick this week, eight members of the Oireachtas agreed that all three options proposed by HIQA should be advanced in parallel to relieve ongoing pressure at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
Under the approach preferred by the group, immediate investment would focus on expanding bed capacity on the existing UHL site at Dooradoyle.
Medium-term development would see the establishment of a second UHL campus nearby, comprising of out-patients department, diagnostics, and adult mental health, with a longer-term goal of moving the maternity hospital and other acute services. including a new ED, to the nearby site under shared governance.
Members would support this on the basis that it would provide a high quality multi-generational urgent and emergency care service for the Mid West region.
It was agreed at the meeting that Option A (expansion on-site in Dooradoyle), as outlined by HIQA’s report, combined with Option B (expansion offsite) will ultimately deliver Option C (a new Model 3 hospital for the region with an emergency department).
The meeting, held at the Great National South Court Hotel and convened by Clare TD Joe Cooney (Fine Gael), was attended by Minister Patrick O’Donovan (Fine Gael), Minister of State Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fáil), TDs Cathal Crowe and Willie O’Dea (Fianna Fáil), Senators Maria Byrne (FG), Martin Conway (FG), and Dee Ryan (FF), and Clare County Council Cathaoirleach Paul Murphy.
Sinn Féin boycotted the meeting, with party representatives in the Mid West describing the gathering as “a publicity stunt for government backbenchers rather than a forum for decisions that would actually save lives”.
Sinn Féin local representatives Senator Joanne Collins, Maurice Quinlivan TD, and Donna McGettigan TD said government backbenchers are attempting to give the impression that they are “acting on behalf of the people”, while continuing to support a Minister who refuses to commit to the second emergency eepartment and the additional hospital capacity urgently needed in the region.
“Backbenchers can’t have it both ways,” said Maurice Quinlivan, Sinn Féin TD for Limerick.
“Turning up for a talking shop won’t fix overcrowding or save lives. A clear commitment and delivering a second ED will.”
Labour’s Conor Sheehan also stayed away, saying that he “did not attend Fine Gael’s meeting because the people of Limerick have had enough of empty talk. We are far beyond talking shops – what is needed now is actual action.”
“The HIQA report is a damning indictment of this government’s failure to deal with the crisis at University Hospital Limerick
“HIQA is crystal clear: the Minister for Health must now choose between three options,” he said.
Deputy Sheehan said that “the people of Limerick are angry, and they are right to be. We have seen countless reviews, visits, and promises. What we have not seen is delivery. We cannot allow this crisis to drag on while government hides behind committees and consultations.”
“The Minister must outline a clear timeline for action and begin the process of finally providing the Mid West with the hospital capacity it desperately needs.
“Talk is cheap. The people of Limerick and the Mid-West need beds, staff, and a functioning hospital system,” Deputy Sheehan concluded.
Following what was described by those who did attend as “a positive and very constructive meeting”, members agreed to support the HSE Mid-West’s commitment to pursuing all three strands and to engage with the Department of Health to secure full government backing.
A follow-up meeting is planned for early November in Leinster House, with Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and senior department officials to be invited.
