Hiqa denies letting people down in its regulation of Limerick hospital

Senator Martin Conway said with over 100 patients counted on trolleys almost every day in UHL now, '[patients] feel the whole system has let them down, including Hiqa'

Hiqa chief executive Angela Fitzgerald said it had highlighted the impact of overcrowding on patients at UHL. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins 

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) has denied it has let down people in Limerick and surrounding areas in its regulation of University Hospital Limerick while before the Oireachtas Health Committee on Wednesday.

It also said closure of nursing homes was a last resort, saying the only home which lost its registration this year followed the owners not carrying out promised financial reforms.