TDs must get 'beyond petty party politics' to solve Limerick hospital's overcrowding

The grandson of an 87-year-old man who spent 100 hours on a trolley said: 'I feel we are constantly being gas-lit in the midwest by the Government'

Limerick City Labour Councillor, Conor Sheehan, (right), with his grandfather, Jeremiah “Derry” Mullins (left) treated by doctors for five days on a trolley before being transferred to Croom Hospital. Family photo

Overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick is “beyond petty party politics” and all parties need to come together to find a solution, the grandson of an 87-year-old man who spent 100 hours on a trolley has urged.

Conor Sheehan also called on UHL management to “take a stronger stance” with Government in asking for supports.

“We have three Government TDs in Limerick. Three of the four are Government TDs and I would like to see them come together and do something about this,” he said.

“I would like to see them come together specially to look at the issue of UHL, and to look at pushing the minister to do something about the overcrowding.” 

He supported his grandfather in the hospital and saw healthcare workers taking the brunt of people’s frustrations.

“I feel we are constantly being gas-lit in the midwest by the Government because we are told there is an increase in funding, we are told there is a laser-like focus on overcrowding, and we are told there is an increase in staffing but yet UHL just breaks its own records on trolleys,” he said.

A Labour councillor in Limerick, he intends to raise overcrowding in the council again, saying: “This is beyond petty party politics”.

UHL management has previously said they do not have enough beds which is leading to the overcrowding.

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He urged: “I really believe the management of the hospital needs to take a stronger stance in relation to the resourcing issue and actually put it up to the Government because it’s grand me saying it, or some TD or Senator saying it, but they really need to speak up.” 

His voice breaks recalling the impact on his grandfather, Jeremiah “Derry” Mullins, of being treated by doctors for five days on a trolley before being transferred to Croom Hospital.

“I firmly believe that my granddad deteriorated because the infection got worse, but he also deteriorated because he was out there in those surroundings,” he said.

He was dehydrated. He was over-stimulated because it was so bright.

The issue arose as Mr Mullins’ GP was unable to secure an appointment to have the infection treated at the busy hospital which would have allowed him to bypass the ED.

“I didn’t particularly want to say that much (publicly) about it but it was actually my mum who pushed me to do it,” he said, noting his grandfather is his mother’s father.

However, he said it angers him to think of people who do not have the chance to describe their own experiences.

“It’s just inhumane out there,” he said. “That’s what the Hiqa report said last year, and the same thing is true the bones of 12 months later.” 

UHL has apologized to those waiting. “We have been caring for an exceptionally high number of unwell medical patients associated with a surge in respiratory illnesses and who require admission to hospital,” they said.

Some 261 people came to the ED on Monday which is “significantly above average” they said and followed “an unusually busy weekend”.