Minister Chambers Visits Limerick to Address Trolley Crisis

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Jack Chambers, visited Limerick to engage with key officials from the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding the ongoing trolley crisis at University Hospital Limerick (UHL). This visit included a tour of both the newly constructed 96-bed block at UHL and the Community Nursing Unit at Saint Camillus’s. These facilities represent significant government investment aimed at enhancing healthcare capacity in the region.

As of yesterday, 130 patients were reported waiting on trolleys at UHL, approaching the highest recorded figure of 150 patients, which occurred on February 7, 2024. This morning, the number decreased to 106 patients, but the situation remains critical. Senator Dee Ryan organized the visit, facilitating discussions between Minister Chambers and the HSE Mid-West Regional Clinical Director, Dr. Catherine Peters.

During this briefing, Dr. Peters outlined the additional investments required in the Mid-West and detailed the HSE’s proposals to address the trolley crisis. Minister Chambers emphasized the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and staffing levels in Limerick and the wider Mid-West region.

“The government’s determination to support investment in additional beds, facilities, and healthcare workers is evident in the ongoing expansion of the site,” Minister Chambers stated. “Today, I saw the new 96-bed block at UHL and the work underway on a second block funded by the government. I also visited the Community Nursing Unit at Saint Camillus’s and spoke with the residents about their enhanced experience in the new facilities.”

He further noted the progress on the Surgical Hub under construction at the former Scoil Carmel site, highlighting the cumulative impact of these investments on patient care across the Mid-West.

Senator Ryan remarked, “I invited Minister Chambers to witness the scale of the investment already delivered in Limerick and to hear directly from the HSE about what more is needed. This engagement is essential for building capacity and resolving the longstanding issues at UHL.”

This visit underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare services throughout the Mid-West, with a continued focus on enhancing capacity, staffing, and patient care. The situation at UHL remains a high priority, as officials work towards solutions that will enhance the delivery of healthcare services in the region.