HSE will make 'temporary arrangement' in Nenagh to alleviate the chronic bed capacity issue at UHL - Lowry

The HSE will make a temporary arrangement to alleviate the current chronic bed capacity issue at University Hospital Limerick, Deputy Michael Lowry said this evening.

"I have been repeatedly calling for action to address the ongoing chaotic and dangerous situation at University Hospital Limerick which is having a detrimental impact on North Tipperary patients", Deputy Lowry told the Tribune this afternoon.

"The HSE has been scrambling to get unacceptable conditions at UHL under control. As part of a management solution, it is now proposed that the vacant new 50-bed Community Care Centre at Nenagh be brought into use as early as possible to ease congestion at UHL.

"The new Unit at Nenagh would be used on a temporary basis as a step-down, convalescent rehab centre. It is intended that a private health care provider would staff and manage the unit under the auspices of the HSE for the duration of an 18/24 month contract.

"This would allow for the daycare surgery unit at Nenagh to resume normal functions without interruptions to activity and the resultant inconveniences and stress to patients on waiting lists for a variety of surgical procedures.

"There will also be a reconfiguration of the new 96-bed unit at UHL with significant changes to the day-to-day operational and case management of patients in an effort to ease the crisis at UHL.

"This proposed repurposing of the new unit at Nenagh would have the unfortunate consequence of delaying the transfer of St. Conlons to the new purpose-built unit," he said.