Call to upgrade hospitals in the Mid-West to be heard by Petitions Committee

University Hospital Limerick. Picture Dan Linehan

A petition signed by 15,000 people on solutions to overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick will be discussed at the Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen in the Dail on Thursday.

The petition, organised by the MidWest Hospital Campaign, is calling for the re-opening of emergency departments in smaller hospitals in the region, namely at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals. It also calls for upgrading of these sites generally.

The signatures were gathered following public frustration at the high levels of overcrowding last year, and submitted to the Committee in June of 2022.

The Mid-West Hospital Campaign, which gathered the signatures across Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary, will argue that these changes to the smaller hospitals would help to relieve overcrowding in Limerick.

UHL offers the only emergency department for these three regions, supported by local injury units and medical assessment units as well as GPs and other community services.

“On Oct 23rd a new record was set for the number of patients being left on trolleys with 130 patients languishing in corridors waiting for care. It is clearly evident the situation is not improving,” the campaign group said in a statement.

A file image of University Hospital Limerick.

“Sadly, to date, the Midwest's elected representatives have failed to raise their voices and make their parties take the appropriate action necessary to bring this situation under control.” 

 Spokeswomen Noeleen Moran and Marie McMahon said they have been in regular contact with the Committee, seeking to have their views heard since last year.

“(the group) has corresponded with UHL management, the HSE and finally, only this month, managed to receive a response from the Department of Health, after an error led to the Departments response not being shared for 7 months after it was received,” they said.

“After much delay and apologies being issued from the Chair of the petitions committee, the Campaign has finally been invited to attend in person before the Committee on November 16th to make the case for the reopening of Emergency Departments.” 

They called on local politicians to support the call to re-open the emergency departments “ as a matter of urgency” this winter.

“It's time to end the unnecessary loss of lives resulting from overcrowding in the Midwest,” they said.

“It's time to say No, to yet another winter calamity in healthcare.” 

Committee chair Sinn Fein TD Martin Browne said: “The closure of these three units and downgrading of the hospitals has left some 400,000 people in the three counties reliant on the overcrowded and under pressure emergency department in University Hospital Limerick.

“The Committee looks forward to discussing the details of this petition with Ms Moran, Ms McMahon and Ms Tonge and hearing their concerns regarding emergency medical care in the Mid-West and related matters.” 

The Committee has the power to invite Ministers to attend meetings and answer questions about petitions.