*Deputy Joe Carey. Photograph: Natasha Barton
CLARE TD, Joe Carey (FG) has spent the last two nights lying on a trolley at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
Deputy Carey was admitted to UHL after getting an ambulance from his home in Clarecastle. He confirmed on Monday afternoon that he had “spent the last couple of nights lying on a trolley” in the emergency department of UHL, prompting the cancellation of constituency appointments across Co Clare.
He is one of the 77 people waiting for beds at UHL as of Monday morning, 33 of which are on trolleys in the emergency department.
“I was admitted on Saturday evening by ambulance from my home. It followed a period of about 30 minutes when I just couldn’t breathe. This never happened before and there is a battery of tests lined up for me. It appears to be an infection in my lung which is ironic – as I had given up the cigarettes 26 days ago today,” he stated.
A Clare TD since 2007, Deputy Carey praised the staff at UHL. “I’m getting great care despite being on a trolley and want to thank all the nurses, doctors, porters, catering and cleaning staff for their kindness and help. The ambulance crew were simply amazing and I can’t thank them enough for their professionalism and care. Hopefully I’ll be out and about before too
long.
