People 'in fear' of attending emergency department at UHL

PEOPLE living in the Mid-West are "in fear" of having to go to University Hospital Limerick's emergency department and "avoid it at all costs".

Co-ordinator of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign Noeleen Moran said there is a "real and urgent need" for action and that emergency services need to be put back in the region alongside the emergency department in Limerick.

Ms Moran was speaking on Friday's Morning Ireland, after the verdict of medical misadventure was returned at the inquest into the death of Aoife Johnston.

The 16-year-old from Shannon in Co Clare, died from meningitis on December 19, 2022, after presenting at the UHL emergency department two days earlier, with suspected sepsis.

Read More: COMMENT: We are infuriated that such a devastating loss occurred on our doorstep — we see you, Aoife

"What the inquest has led to this week is that we've heard not just from the family, but members of staff who haven't been able to speak on this issue in such detail," Ms Moran said.

"There's been a lot of words of sympathy expressed to the family but there's no sincerity behind those words unless actions follow from this.

"The only meaningful action that's going to change things in the midwest is an additional emergency department," she continued.

Reopening even just one emergency department, at Ennis, Nenagh or St John's Hospitals, would make a "massive, massive difference".

"We need to see additional services going in, this is the only way that this situation is going to turn around," Ms Moran said.

"Talk is cheap and there's been enough empty rhetoric down the years, we need to see action follow from this."