Elective hub plan for Limerick to cut hospital waiting lists in the region

LIMERICK is to be home to a new private facility designed to slash waiting lists for non-urgent day procedures.

Addressing politicians from across the Mid-West amid the continued overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Limerick, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly outlined the plan, which he said he hoped can be delivered within 18 months.

But local TD Willie O’Dea and Senator Paul Gavan have expressed doubt on this timeline, with the former Defence Minister saying: “What Limerick needs is an elective hub operational later this year.”

As it stands, Limerick has not been earmarked for a new elective hospital, with Cork and Galway in line for these. It’s led to disquiet among local TDs who have pointed out government forecasts which project Limerick’s population to grow in the next decade.

While it’s understood Mr Donnelly has not completely closed the door on the idea of a new private hospital for the city, for the time being, a surgical hub is being planned, with staff able to carry out some procedures.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health confirmed the news, saying: “It will have a shorter-term impact on waiting times. This intervention will also support efforts to consider the necessary reforms and enablers needed to separate unscheduled and scheduled care pathways that will be required by the longer-term provision of the elective care programme.”

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Fianna Fail TD Mr O’Dea said: “I am concerned how long it would take to put this in place in view of the fact it would appear the minister has not yet identified a building. How long will this take? Presumably, it would need planning permission too.”

Sinn Fein’s Mr Gavan added: “I've no faith in this government delivering it in any timely fashion. It was mentioned, but there were no details around how government would go about it, how long it would take. We are half way through the lifetime of this government, and now they are only mentioning these things. What we are getting are vague aspirations in response to an emergency situation in Limerick.”