Making Ennis ‘elective-only’ hospital will ease pressure on UHL

*Photograph: Sean Curtin / True Media

MAKING ENNIS an elective-only hospital has been heralded as a potential solution to ease massive overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick.

A total of 98 people were waiting on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick on Monday, the third highest figure on record behind the 111 noted in January and 100 in March.

Citing the “record trolley numbers, lack of bed and clinical capacity” at UHL, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council issued a request to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF) to “urgently bring to Government a proposal for the development and building of an elective-only hospital in the Mid-West, preferably in Ennis”.

Speaking on Clare FM in January, former Director General of the HSE, Tony O’Brien insisted that an elective-only hospital needs to be prioritised for the Mid-West region ahead of anywhere else in Ireland. The need for such a facility in the region was also raised by Tipperary TD, Alan Kelly (LAB) in the Dáil a month later.

Throughout the month of March, the average admissions to UHL was 245, Cllr Flynn outlined. “304 patients on trolleys was once deemed an emergency ten years ago, we had 1300 people on trolleys in January which is almost quadruple that,” he stated.

He flagged that 400 Irish doctors were granted visas to go to Australia last year and noted that nurses were also experiencing burnout “from working in very stressful conditions”. The Ennis representative commented, “it is shocking that the Government had decided to build only three elective hospitals, Galway, Dublin and Cork and not one in the Mid-West”.

While referencing the 98 patients on trolleys, Cllr Flynn maintained that the addition of an elective hospital was needed that would not be impacted by the level of admissions to UHL. “It has to be fast-tracked, it will be a failure of this Government if it is not concluded as quickly as possible”. He added, “We had been looking for a 24 hour A&E for Ennis but we’re not getting that so we need an elective hospital to take the pressure off”. The situation surrounding healthcare services is “at a critical stage,” he warned. “The next highest trolley count is 44, we’re so far ahead in the lack of capacity in our acute hospital”.

“If you have a place that is supposed to keep you safe and cure you but you’re afraid to go to it then I think we have a problem and that is what I’m hearing,” Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) remarked while seconding the proposal.

Campaigning needs to start to bring the elective-only hospital to Ennis, Cllr Liam Grant (GP) stressed. Recent investment of €1.997m in the injury unit and plans for a €9.95 theatre upgrade at Ennis Hospital were welcomed by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) who voiced his support for the motion.