The INMO’s Midwest Representative insists that the current level of overcrowding at the region’s main hospital is “dangerous” and requires urgent intervention from the Health Minister.
Record breaking trolley numbers have been recorded at University Hospital Limerick this week by the nurses union, as the hospital continues to manage high presentations.
Trolley numbers peaked at 95 at University Hospital Limerick earlier this week, the highest number on record, as the hospital dealt with extremely high number of presentations.
That number has fallen to 58 today, but the nurse’s union says the situation is still out of control and requires immediate attention.
The UL Hospitals Group has this week said that record numbers have been presenting at the Emergency Department and patients have been urged to consider their care options, such as the Injuries Unit, before attending there.
Assistant Director of Industrial Relations with the INMO, Mary Fogarty, who’s based in the Midwest, believes there’s an urgent need for the Health Minister to intervene.
She says it’s “mindboggling” that no-one externally is stepping in to make the hospital safer.
The latest HSE figures show there were 49 patients being treated for Covid-19 at University Hospital Limerick this morning, with 13 in intensive care.
The hospital is also continuing to manage an outbreak of the virus that’s affecting four wards.
Mary Fogarty believes there’s now no other option but to curtail elective procedures.
