New HSE boss urged to make impact on 'appalling second-hand health service' in Mid-West

THE Mid-West Hospital Campaign has called for a state of emergency to be declared in the Mid-West region.

The group has called on the recently-appointed CEO of the HSE, Bernard Gloster, to act "swiftly and decisively" to ensure further resources are secured for the area. 

A native of Limerick, Mr Gloster took up the role earlier this month, and the campaign group has reiterated its hope that he will "show a better understanding for the needs of the people of the region."

Figures from the INMO show there were 116 patients on trolleys at UHL this Wednesday and three in Ennis.

The group has labeled the continuous high numbers as "outrageous" and is warning that "sadly more people will suffer as a direct result of decisions made by HSE, UHL management and our politicians."

A spokesperson said: "This is no longer acceptable on any level".

Currently, the Mid-West region is the only region in the country with only one ED for its population of over 400,000 people. As a result of these figures, some campaigners have taken to calling out each Oireachtas members to ask them: "Do you support further Emergency Department provision for the people of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary. Yes or no?"

The Mid-West Hospitals Campaign has announced a number have already responded and they is is awaiting responses from the remainder with the results expected to be published early next week.

The group says it will following up each response with further questions. 

It has been one year since inspectors from HIQA visited University Hospital Limerick's Emergency Department to carry out an unannounced inspection. 

The report, which was published last summer, found that the hospital was "partially compliant with one specific national standard and non-compliant with the other three national standards."