The level of overcrowding at the region's main hospital remains the highest in the country once again today.
The level of overcrowding at the region's main hospital remains the highest in the country once again today.
Figures from the INMO show 60 people were waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick this morning, 20 more than any other hospital.
It comes as the Health Minister is meeting with the Head of the HSE this afternoon and as a cabinet colleague says, he's going to "kick ass":
There have been record numbers of patients waiting on trolleys at hospitals across the country this week and for two days running, University Hospital Limerick has suffered from the highest level of overcrowding.
60 people were waiting for beds there this morning, and though it's a slight drop on yesterday's figures, its still 20 more than any other hospital.
The UL Hospitals Group has blamed a combination of issues for the high trolley numbers and long waiting times.
These include temporary bed closures at St John's Hospital due to recruitment issues, an outbreak of the flu virus and exceptionally high numbers of elderly and frail patients attending the facility.
Clare's independent TD, Dr Michael Harty says the overcrowding crisis is putting patients' lives at risk and he believes that mismanagement at hospitals is having a knock-on affect in every aspect of the health service:
The National Ambulance Service has confirmed that eleven emergency ambulances and four Intermediate Care vehicles were left waiting at Limerick University Hospital on Tuesday, seven of those for more than an hour.
The NAS says that during this period, transport to various facilities within the MidWest was provided for 24 patients, in an effort to assist with bed availability at UHL.
Similar circumstances have been reported right across the country and SIPTU's Health Division Organiser Paul Bell says his members are very concerned:
The Health Minister is meeting with the Head of the HSE, Tony O'Brien at his department this afternoon, for an update on the overcrowding crisis.
His cabinet colleague and Transport Minister, Shane Ross says he intends to do everything he can to help resolve the situation:
