Taoiseach accepts patients "not getting care they deserve" at University Hospital Limerick

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar believes the new 96 bed-block at University Hospital Limerick as well as the new Bon Secours hospital in Ballysimon will "significantly" improve overcrowding issues in the Mid-West.

Mr Varadkar was speaking at UHL on Friday after touring the Emergency Department and facilities at the hospital when he spoke about the overcrowding at the hospital. 

Earlier in the morning, An Taoiseach turned the sod on a new state-of-the-art private hospital in Ballysimon, which he believes along with the new block currently being constructed at UHL, will help the overcrowding situation in Limerick. 

"The 96 bed-block here, the plans for another 96 block on top of that as well as 150 beds at the new Bon Secours hospital and 50 beds at Barringtons. Add all that up and it is a lot of beds.

"There are also plans to upgrade services at Ennis and Nenagh. I think that can create the conditions whereby we can dramatically improve patient experience and overcrowding here in Limerick. 

"What I do know from other hospitals in other regions, capacity isn't enough, we have to do other things as well.

"We are building up community services in particular, more people getting the care they need from their GP, making sure that good patient flow and the right working practices are in place". 

Speaking about the trolley crisis, Mr Varadkar said the region was "under pressure" but that there was a definite "pathway" forward. 

"There are reasons for hope. I believe more can be done at Ennis and Nenagh hospitals and it is possible to develop services there so patients who come here can be treated there instead. 

"Once the Bon Secours has moved out of Barringtons there will be an opportunity to develop a medical centre there and it could be used as a surgical hub for the region".

The new private hospital is expected to open in 2025 with 150 beds which will be available to private and public patients. 

The Fine Gael Party Leader admitted that patients attending the Emergency Department at UHL were not getting the kind of care they "deserve and are entitled to". 

"UHL is a very good hospital but there are very big problems with overcrowding but once people get a bed they get a very high standard of care here. 

"We know that spending hours on a trolley can result in reduced patient outcomes as well as reduced privacy and dignity which is not acceptable". 

The Taoiseach will meet with the Mid-West Hospital Campaign Group on Friday to discuss their concerns about healthcare in the region.