'Mismatch' between patients and beds a continuous struggle for UHL

Inspectors said that, given the high patient numbers and overcrowding, “the processes in place may not be fully sufficient to protect people ... from the risk of harm"

Some 23% of emergency department patients in  University Hospital Limerick were still there more than 24 hours after registration, when the HSE target is 3%. Picture: Dan Linehan

University Hospital Limerick (UHL) continues to struggle with an “ongoing mismatch” between patient and bed numbers, while improvements may not fully protect patients from harm, a report from the health watchdog shows.

Inspectors from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) found changes included higher staffing levels than in February during an unannounced inspection in November,  but they advised more reforms are needed.