Health Minister Proposes New Hospital Campus for Limerick

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, is set to recommend the construction of a new hospital campus in Limerick, following the recent review by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). This proposal aims to address longstanding healthcare deficiencies in the Mid-West region, particularly in light of the closure of several accident and emergency departments in recent years.

Details of the Proposal

According to Deputy Willie O’Dea, the Minister has indicated a preference for two of the three options outlined in the HIQA report: Option A, which involves expanding the current facilities at the University Hospital Limerick (UHL), and Option B, which proposes the establishment of a second hospital campus near Dooradoyle. This new facility would operate under a shared governance model with UHL.

Deputy O’Dea confirmed that the Minister intends to bring this proposal to the Cabinet before Christmas 2023, expressing optimism about its acceptance. “This is good news for the Mid-West region, which has been suffering since the closure of three A&E departments in Ennis, St John’s, and Nenagh in 2009,” he stated. The Deputy emphasized the urgency of proceeding with construction to meet the healthcare needs of the community.

Background and Future Plans

The HIQA review, published in October 2023, identified three potential options for improving healthcare services in the Mid-West. Aside from expanding UHL, Option C proposes developing a new Model 3 hospital that would establish an additional emergency department in the region. The review highlighted the necessity of expanding healthcare capacity to better serve the population, which has been largely reliant on a single A&E unit in Limerick.

In addition to the new campus, plans are also underway to enhance services at St John’s Hospital, Ennis Hospital, and Nenagh Hospital, which includes increasing bed capacity and improving ambulance services. The intent is to create a more robust healthcare system capable of addressing the needs of over half a million residents.

The push for these changes follows advocacy from local representatives, including Deputy O’Dea, who previously urged the former Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to recognize the inadequacies of the existing healthcare setup. The HIQA report was commissioned as a direct response to these concerns, underscoring the critical nature of healthcare access in the region.

As the proposal moves toward official consideration, stakeholders are hopeful that it will pave the way for much-needed improvements in healthcare delivery, ultimately benefiting patients and medical staff alike.