Work starting shortly on UHL’s 96-bed block

THE UL Hospitals Group has announced John Sisk and Sons will start work on the new €90 million 96-bed en-suite single rooms at UHL this month.

The construction phase will take at least two years to complete. Thereafter the new facility will also have to be equipped and commissioned for use before being put into operation.

Approximately half of the beds will be new beds for inpatients while the remainder will be replacement beds allowing us to close or refurbish some of the more outdated in-patient accommodation on the site.

Prof Colette Cowan, CEO, UL Hospitals’ Group, said: “Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the group have been supported by government and the HSE in opening 98 inpatient beds and 10 new critical care beds at UHL. This new single-room capacity has dramatically improved our ability to isolate patients and to protect many of the most vulnerable.

“In spite of this progress, inpatient bed capacity at UHL and the Mid West region is not sufficient to meet increasing demand on our services. The national Health Service Capacity Review is clear on the challenge we face as a country in providing additional inpatient accommodation as our population grows and rapidly ages.

“The appointment of an experienced contractor to develop a 96-bed block at UHL is great news for patients and staff.

“As well as improving the patient experience, completion of this project will help us to attract and retain staff, reduce the number of outbreaks and their associated costs and reduce the number of bed days lost as well as average length of stay,” Prof Cowan said.

The UL Hospitals’ Group said it is unable to comment on individual cases, due to its ethical and legal obligations to respect and protect the privacy of all patients who attend our hospitals, and its staff.

“The ED at UHL has been seeing record numbers of attendances in recent months and this has contributed to long wait times for many patients. We apologise to patients, particularly frail elderly patients, who face long wait times for a hospital bed.

“The group continue to work on improving patient flow, integrated care pathways and hospital avoidance to respond to the increase in demand on UHL which has contributed negatively to patient experience.

“In addition we continue to make progress on addressing the bed capacity deficits in the region. Ninety eight inpatient beds have been added at UHL since the start of the pandemic and work is expected to commence on the new 96-bed block in October 2022.

“Since March of 2020, and in line with national guidance, there has been Covid and non-Covid streaming of patients who enter University Hospital Limerick, following triage.

All patients being admitted to the hospital are tested for Covid-19, and confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patients are isolated, where possible, or transferred to a Covid admitting area. There are designated admission pathways or wards in the hospital for Covid-suspect cases, close contacts, and Covid-positive patients.