There has been a call for a change of management at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) to reflect accountability.

Limerick TD Richard O'Donoghue is welcoming a review to be carried out into emergency healthcare in the Mid-West.

It will decide if there should be a second ED in the region due to the pressure UHL is under.

Deputy O'Donoghue believes a business leader is needed to manage the hospital. 

UHL management

“There should be no medical person in charge of a hospital,” he said. 

“It should be a business person, whether it is a female or a male, a business person that is put in place and then outside of that they should have a medical board.

“The CEO of that hospital should not be from the medical profession, so they’re not conflicted.” 

University Hospital Limerick in December 2020. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Deputy O'Donoghue says he “welcomes” the review into UHL and said he had been calling for one since 2019. 

“It’s now time that we have not only a review but we have a change of management which will reflect accountability within our hospital system. 

“In 2009, they tried to set up a hospital of excellence. 

“They got it wrong.” 

15 years ago, a number of smaller Emergency Departments in the Mid-West were shut on “very clear clinical advice” at the time. 

The review will consider whether to reverse that decision.

Main image: University Hospital Limerick.