Permission sought to expand radiology department at University Hospital Limerick

THE HSE is planning to build an extension to the radiology department at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

The Health Service Executive has announced its intention to seek planning permission from Limerick City and County Council for a single-storey extension to its department in Dooradoyle.

The facility provides a service to patients who have injuries and diseases which need to be diagnosed and treated using high-tech tools like X-Rays, MRI scans and CT scans.

Radiology is the science which deals with the use of these procedures.

The UHL radiology team comprises specialist doctors or radiologists, radiographers, nurses, medical physicists, healthcare assistants and administrative staff.

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According to the application which is due to be presented to council planners, a bridge link will be constructed to connect to the existing radiology building in the hospital.

If approved, the existing MRI building at ground level will be extended, while new stairs will connect the existing radiology department with the new extension.

Cathaoirleach of the Metropolitan District, Cllr Azad Talukder, whose City West electoral area includes UHL has welcomed the proposals.

He said: “It's a very welcome project. People are working in difficult conditions at Limerick's hospital. This progress will help to create a better service to all the people. It’s very welcome that the people of Limerick will hopefully get a quicker service and for the region overall, it will be a real positive.”

Representatives of the HSE have a fortnight to submit the planning application to council.

In a statement, the UL Hospitals Group said: "This single-storey development will incorporate a 124 square metres extension to the MRI building, in addition to an upper-floor extension (731 square metres) of the radiology department."

"The upper floor area will be used for office space for consultant radiologists, as well as on-call facilities and teaching space. Vacated space within the existing ground floor will be reconfigured into office space for radiology service managers and medical physicists and for storage space to help the department meet increased demands on radiology at UHL."

"There are currently two MRI scanners in UHL, one owned by UL Hospitals Group and a second that is currently operated by Alliance Medical. The extension plan, if approved, will provide expanded floor area of sufficient size to accommodate an additional MRI scanner for the hospital," they added.

"The projected timeline for completion is subject to many variables, including the planning process. It’s estimated that the works, if approved, would be complete no earlier than the end of 2024."