The Health Minister is launching a review into urgent and emergency care capacity in the Mid-West region.
It's to determine whether a second Emergency Department is required, in light of ongoing pressures at the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
Announcing this review, the Department of Health said the closure of smaller emergency departments in the midwest region 15 years ago was based on clinical evidence at the time.
But since those decisions were made, the population of the region has grown considerably and there is now a larger cohort of older people, who have a greater need for urgent and emergency care.
University Hospital Limerick, 29-7-23. Image: Karlis D / AlamyOvercrowding remains a significant problem at University Hospital Limerick's emergency department - with the number of patients waiting on trolleys up by 39% so far this year.
The Department of Health noted some reforms are underway at UHL but significant changes are still needed in terms of how the facility is run.
Terms of reference for the review will be published following the release of the findings of an inquiry into the death of teenage UHL patient Aoife Johnston by former Chief Justice Justice Frank Clarke.
Main image: University Hospital Limerick. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
