A Government review is to be carried out to determine if a second Emergency Department (ED) is required for the Mid-West region, a facility that will most likely be located in Ennis, if created.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF), this morning announced the review in the wake of a number of serious incidents at UHL, including the death of Clare teenage Aoife Johnston, and ongoing pressures at the ED at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
In a statement, Minister Donnelly said that the decision to close emergency departments in Ennis and other areas 15 years ago was “based on the very clear clinical advice at the time”.
“The aim was to minimise the risk of a patient presenting at the Emergency Department whose time critical needs exceeded the capacity of the hospital, and specialties needed, to treat them. We also know that important services, including intensive care units, require a certain throughput so that clinicians can maintain their skills,” he said.
“Since those clinical decisions were made, the population in the Mid-West has grown considerably. The population is also older than it is in most other regions. Older populations have a greater need for urgent and emergency care.
“There have been record increases in investment in UHL during the lifetime of this government. However, overcrowding at UHL’s emergency department continues with trolley numbers increasing by 39% so far this year. This contrasts with the national trend, with the average morning trolley count falling by 11% during the first four months of the year. Some hospitals continually have no patients on trolleys.
“While some reforms are underway at UHL, significant changes are still required in terms of how UHL is run and how patient flow is managed. This was highlighted in the recent report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). HIQA noted evidence of improvements in operational efficiencies, but said greater operational grip was also needed.
The Review will consider the additional capacity being added, as well as future reforms that are needed.”
The terms of reference for the review will be finalised and published once the upcoming review by Mr Justice Frank Clarke has been considered, so that its findings and recommendations can be incorporated. The former Chief Justice is conducting a formal investigation into the death of Shannon teenager, Aoife Johnston. Minister Donnelly has asked HIQA to lead the review.
Friends of Ennis Hospital (FEH) welcomed the announcement and particularly the involvement of HIQA in the review.
“In our statement following Aoife Johnstons tragic death FEH called for a new clinical review into emergency services in the Midwest and we thank the minister for his prompt response,” said a spokesperson.
“In our briefing document which we updated in light of Aoife’s inquest findings we had analysed and refuted the last clinical advice from 2023 and this review is very much welcome. FEH were the lone voice for many years calling for a second model 3 in the region.
“We did so without any political support apart from Deputies Cathal Crowe and Violet Anne Wynne. We thank them for their support in getting us to this place. We did so when some politicians told us we were wrong.”
Independent Clare TD and candidate for Ireland South in the European elections, Michael McNamara, has welcomed the announcement.
“This will be welcome news for everybody in the Mid-West where a lot of people are afraid to avail of an essential government service at UHL because of the continuous disaster stories emanating from there,” he said.
“The staff are under tremendous pressure, and I hope this review is quick and its conclusions are followed up speedily.
“We have a tendency in Ireland to announce reviews to get out of political pressure. I sincerely hope this not the case here.”
Andrew Hamilton is a journalist, investigative reporter and blogger who has been working in the media in Ireland for the past 20 years. His areas of special interest include the environment, mental health and politics.