The health watchdog has slammed as 'unacceptable' the delays facing patients in the emergency department of the Midwest's main hospital.
HIQA's published a report into the services in the 6 facilities of the University of Limerick group, which says the Dooradoyle emergency facility was overcrowded and not fit for purpose.
The authority is highlighting delays in admitting children to wards, who are being accommodated in adult surroundings, despite the fact that a new children's area was developed, but was unopened.
HIQA says the serious delays and risks for patients and staff due to persistent overcrowding at the Dooradoyle facility mark the biggest problems within the hospital group.
The group’s Director of Regulation Phelim Quinn says the main aim of the document is to drive or encourage improvement in health services.
The HSE has released a statement sayin git welcomes today's review, and acknowledges the opportunity to review and reflect on the work of the UL Hospitals Group.
Ths statement says the need for major redevelopment at Dooradoyle has been acknowledged, and says works a 20 million euro Emergency Department will be the most modern in Ireland when it opens in 2016 (rather than 2017 as HIQA have acknowledged).
In the meantime, the HSE says a number of steps are being taken to alleviate pressure, including the opening of a short-stay unit last month and a Paediatric emergency area, which has also opened since HIQA's review visit.
The statement also says an ongoing information campaign has been undertaken with GPs to highlight Local Injury Unit facilities in Ennis and elsewhere.
