Limerick hospital unveils state-of-the-art facilities to help 'significantly reduce waiting times'

WITH a multi-million euro investment, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital now boasts cutting-edge advancements in a state-of-the-art campus.

Officially opened by the Minister for Health, Mr. Stephen Donnelly TD, new theatres, wards and clinical areas at the hospital has not only enhanced patient experience but has also led to a remarkable reduction in wait times for outpatients and surgical procedures.

During his visit, Minister Donnelly had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art Maigue Unit, which features 24 single-room ensuite patient accommodations in the St. Anne's Ward. Additionally, he witnessed the unveiling of a €15 million four-theatre operating suite, which includes the new Sterile Services Department, reception, recovery areas, and ancillary support spaces.

Expressing his satisfaction with the developments, he stated: "This new €15 million theatre suite and the modern, state-of-the-art ward complex represent a very timely and much-needed development for both Croom Hospital and the entire University of Limerick Hospital Group.

"The establishment of an ambulatory trauma service, made possible by the new theatre development, has enabled the transfer of trauma patients from UHL to Croom for their surgery and recovery, thereby freeing up capacity in UHL."

The new facilities at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital were developed as part of the UL Hospitals Group's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with support from the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust and a significant contribution from the JP McManus Pro-Am.

The newly expanded theatres also aid in managing waiting lists by offering day case vascular, maxillofacial, and ENT surgeries, which are specialties previously unavailable at Croom.

In tandem with the doubling of theatre capacity, the number of consultant surgeons working at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital has also doubled since the beginning of the pandemic. Consequently, Croom is now equipped to handle a significant increase in activity. Between 2019 and 2022, there has been an 18% rise in inpatient activity (3,470 cases in 2022) and a 26% increase in outpatient activity (11,685 cases in 2022) specifically in the field of orthopaedics.

Minister Donnelly emphasised the important role played by specialist and smaller hospitals like Croom in supporting the broader range of services provided by the wider Hospital Group.