HIQA insists there’s “a need to act now” on the current bed capacity deficit within the Midwest hospital system.
Representatives from the Health Information and Quality Authority have appeared before the Oireachtas Health Committee today, for a review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the region.
The Oireachtas Health Committee today explored the three options identified by HIQA in its recent report for the Health Minister to address long-standing capacity deficits in the Mid West and meet the future health needs of the region.
These include expanded capacity at University Hospital Limerick at its current site, extending the UHL campus to a second, nearby site or developing a new Model 3 hospital in the region, providing a second Emergency Department.
In her opening address, HIQA’s Chief Executive Officer said the current situation caused by the demand-capacity gap at UHL and across HSE Mid West presents a risk to patient safety.
Angela Fitzgerald went on to say that their advice highlighted an immediate need for action and investment to address current risks to patient safety in the shortest timeframe and safest way possible.
She also said their advice outlines the benefits and potential implementation challenges for each of the three options.
It comes as 14 Mid-West Oireachtas members have written to Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill requesting a meeting with her and her officials, in advance of any decision being made on the HIQA recommendations.
The letter is a cross-party proposal, signed by members from counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, and co-signed by the HSE Patient & Service User Council, which is the representative body for approximately 420,000 patients across the region.
They say that viewing the three options contained in the HIQA report as a suite of measures, rather than choices, offers the only pathway to restoring hope and achieving equity in healthcare for future generations here in the Mid-West.
Responding to a question from Shannon Sinn Fein Deputy Donna McGettigan at today’s Oireachtas Health Committe on whether all three options are feasible, Ms Fitzgerald said there’s a need to act now on either option A or B, but option C must also be considered now by Government.
The Minister for Health is expected to make a decision on how to address the capacity issues at University Hospital Limerick by Christmas.
You can watch the full Oireachtas Health Committee meeting here