Bernard Gloster, HSE chief executive, has expressed dissatisfaction over the conditions at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), stating they are “wholly unsatisfactory”. He also voiced concerns about resources possibly not being utilised optimally. UHL has been grappling with serious overcrowding issues over the past ten years, a situation that peaked last week as 150 patients were left waiting for admission on Wednesday.
Following this event, the hospital group, which includes University Hospital Limerick, Ennis Hospital, St John’s Hospital Limerick and Croom orthopaedic clinic, made the decision to delay all non-critical procedures for Tuesday and Wednesday. This decision was attributed to an “extraordinarily high influx of ill patients” seeking treatment at emergency departments. From March 1st, the emergency department reckoned with an influx of 1,716 patients, averaging 245 patients daily.
Despite the situation, Mr Gloster demonstrates faith in the services provided by UHL, expressing no worry over the standard of clinical care provided by the hospital. Being a resident of the area and having family who have sought treatment at the hospital, he acknowledges the significant rise in attendance at emergency departments across the nation in the year’s initial nine weeks. As per national records, this increase stands at almost 13 per cent. UHL saw a higher rise, of 16 per cent. Mr Gloster emphasised the urgency to review strategies at hospitals and primary and community care services in light of these rising figures.
He acknowledges, however, that there is much progress required in rescheduling delayed elective procedures. This is due to the struggle to balance the load between emergency department care seekers, who couldn’t access care from General Practitioners, and others.
It has been observed that a considerable number of individuals in emergency departments receive immediate attention and treatment. However, there is a need to consider the situation in Limerick in light of the wider national context. As of last night, 171 individuals across the nation were waiting for beds in the emergency department, with 23 of these in Limerick.
This situation provides important insight. Alongside this, 59 individuals nationwide were on additional trolleys in the inpatient wards, with 38 in UHL. Such a situation raises concern, but the risk is shared. We also utilise the method known as surge capacity, which in Limerick last night accounted for 49. This affects the elective.
Mr Gloster acknowledges that UHL could benefit from additional beds, with 96 slated to arrive in a year’s time. Over the past 13 years since the reconfiguration, a lot has changed, particularly in Limerick where the expected number of beds was not met. However, the nationwide investment in community healthcare has seen significant transformation. Therefore, substantial resources are directed to this area. Mr Gloster expressed dissatisfaction with the current use of resources, emphasising the necessity for Limerick to both increase capacity and improve resource utilisation.
When queried about the amount of emergency medicine consultants at UHL, Mr Gloster stated there was roughly 14 in headcount, approximately equivalent to 11 full-time positions. He admitted that Limerick had a lower-than-expected number of consultant doctors for the new public-only consultant contracts. Despite the heavy workload and long hours of the emergency medicine consultants in Limerick, he recognised serious difficulties during weekends.
He sincerely expressed that there is significant positive effort at the Limerick hospital, adding that it is vital not to jump to conclusions but rather to keep things in perspective, recognising the important work done by the dedicated personnel.
In expressing my assurance, I prompt individuals who require hospital treatment to not hesitate in visiting a certain hospital. I myself reside in its vicinity and hence, my family, too, seeks medical attention there without any apprehension. I hold no concerns regarding the hospital’s clinical care for incoming patients and it’s crucial for me to put this point across.”
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