‘Overcrowding at UHL has escalated from unsafe to hazardous’ - Lowry

"I want to place on the record today that the situation at A&E at University Hospital Limerick has crossed a line", Deputy Michael Lowry told the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, in the Dáil.

"Overcrowding has escalated from unsafe to hazardous. It poses a serious threat to patient health and safety. Even basic infection control is posing challenges. Distraught family members are tending to ill loved ones basic needs on corridors and in cubicles’ he said.

Deputy Lowry was addressing the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 on Wednesday last, and he emphasised in the strongest terms that "anger and anxiety are palpable across Tipperary", adding that ‘the number of calls and emails that I am receiving about UHL would have to be seen to be believed.

"I know that you are concerned about UHL, everyone is, and I know that there is a massive problem there with capacity. I know that the problem goes back to a lack of investment in 2008, 2010, 2011 when investment was withdrawn or put on hold. But we need to get a grip on it’ he told the Minister.

He acknowledged that there has been substantial investment in the Hospital but added that people are frustrated at hearing this as they do not see a significant difference in the activity in the hospital itself.

"I also have to say that the level of complaints that I am receiving from Consultants within the hospital, from medical staff in general including in the Nursing profession, from Ambulance Services – everyone is extremely concerned.

"Staff members cannot cope with unending demands and stress levels. They are being tasked with the impossible. They are simply unable to keep up with the demand and are under enormous stress and strain. It is affecting their own health.

Deputy Lowry also referenced the fact that Management at UHL has been changed, saying that he hopes that the new structures and procedures will help to get a better flow of patients through the hospital.

However, he cautioned that ‘there is not much point in moving patients to Nenagh, for example, and then sending out a notice to other people that their Day Care intervention has been cancelled, with no date given as to when it will happen.

"The huge volume of patients requiring medical care at UHL is having a growing knock-on effect on patient treatment at Nenagh Hospital. Day-care procedures in Nenagh are cancelled almost daily to provide beds to cater for the overflow of medical patients from UHL. There have been close to 400 cancellations since January.

"These are people that a Consultant has determined need intervention. They are understandably concerned that further delays in their treatment will put them in a position where they will require acute intervention. Their condition is manageable at the present time and acute care is preventable, but it is important that they receive that necessary surgical intervention".

Deputy Lowry concluded by requesting that Minister Donnelly move to reassure the people of the Mid-West Region that the situation at UHL is getting urgent attention from him and his Officials in the Department of Health along with HSE Officials.