St John's Hospital redevelopment would have 'powerfully positive' impact on Limerick

LIMERICK TD Brian Leddin has urged Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to get behind the proposed redevelopment of St John's Hospital in the city centre.

The facility has unveiled a strategy to redevelop within its boundaries, with a new building potentially bringing 150 new beds.

But it's subject to government support and funding, and the Green Party TD took the opportunity to raise the matter in Dail Eireann on Tuesday night as a topical issue.

The intervention comes in the wake of fresh protests against health provision in the region, with campaigners urging the Emergency Department (ED) in St John's to be re-opened to alleviate the pressure on University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

Mr Leddin believes population growth in Limerick city - which is projected to be 50% - can only be sustained if projects like the St John's redevelopment are completed.

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"Supporting the St. John's proposal to develop a 150-bed block would have a powerfully positive impact on a city that can and should have bold ambitions. It would make Limerick city stronger, and a stronger Limerick city would deliver a stronger Mid-West region and fulfil our national aspiration to rebalance growth away from Dublin, as laid out in the national planning framework," he told the Dail.

The City TD said he had spoken with Mr Donnelly in private on this matter on a number of occasions.

"Most recently, he indicated there had been no decision on whether a fourth public elective hospital would get the go-ahead. I do not believe that the rationale that Cork and Galway, being within a 90-minute drive of Limerick, can meet Limerick's needs is sound given how development policy has been turned on its head recent years. I ask that the minister support the development of St. John's Hospital in Limerick city," he added.

Mary Butler, Minister of State at the Department for Health, said the government is "fully committed" to improving healthcare in Limerick.

"A capital submission for the development of a 150-bed facility at St John's Hospital has not been received. However, I assure the deputy that the Department of Health continues to work closely with the HSE to ensure that UL Hospitals Group and, indeed, the Mid-West are fully supported," she said.

However, Ms Butler admitted she is "not sure" at this time if any redevelopment of St John's Hospital will be progressed.

This, said Mr Leddin, is "not acceptable", adding: "I believe this is a misalignment with the national planning framework. I will speak about it again to the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly."