This article is from page 4 of the 2013-04-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
TWENTY beds have been reopened at a Limerick hospital to alleviate chronic over crowding at the regions only 24-hour accident and emergency department.
Patients from Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary have been subjected to long waits and hours on trolleys as the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick struggled with patient numbers at it’s A&E.
On Wednesday chief executive of the Mid Western Regional Hospitals Group Ann Doherty announced the reopening of the 20 beds at St John’s Hospital in Limerick.
A statement from the HSE said she was supported by the Minister for Health Dr James Reilly, the Special Delivery Unit and the HSE in her decision.
In the lead up to the announcement a large number of very sick patients were presenting with acute medical conditions particularly respiratory complaints at the hospital, placing the already pressurized hospital in an even more chaotic state.
The HSE confirmed that there has been no indication of a flu outbreak.
“We have had a succession of acutely unwell patients over the age of 70 presenting at the ED. The majority have required admission to a bed. All inpatients are reviewed three times a day to assess their fitness for discharge. However, the reality is that every bed in the hospital is occupied by somebody who needs to be there,” explained Ms Doherty.
“There are no delayed discharges due to people waiting for Fair Deal home care packages or because of inappropriate stays,” she added.
“We are very much aware of the limits of the present Emergency Department and construction has commenced on a new department which is expected to be operational in two years,” she said.
Meanwhile a risk assessment is currently being conducted at the hospital under the direction of the local fire service.
Limerick County Council, as the Fire Authority for the Mid-West Regional Hospital inspected the overcrowded A&E following a complaint.
The HSE has until Friday to completed the Risk Based Assessment.
A spokesperson for the HSE said, “We are very much aware of the inadequacies of the present emergency department and construction has commenced on a new department which is expected to be operational in two years.”