University Hospital Limerick boss returns from leave
Data shows that up to March 3, ED presentations at UHL increased by 18% on last year
THE CEO of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan, has returned from leave, Limerick Live has learned.
Professor Cowan went on leave in early February amid a week of record levels of overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
Trolley figures in UHL hit 150 for the first time on Wednesday, February 7.
And the issue of high numbers of people waiting on trolleys at the hospital had continued over the past month. On Thursday last, March 28, there were 127 patients on trolleys in UHL. It was once again the most overcrowded hospital in the country with twice the number on trolleys compared to the second highest - Cork University Hospital - which had 63.
In response to a query from Limerick Live in February, a HSE spokesperson said: "When a delegated official is on leave, there are always acting arrangements put in place to ensure there is authority to discharge functions and operate services at all times. Ms Sonya Cotter, assistant national director of the HSE, is to be the acting CEO of ULHG from February 14 for the purpose of covering leave."
It is not known the exact date that Professor Cowan returned to work but it is understood she was involved in the Regional Health Forum West meeting which took place this Tuesday, March 26.
Ms Cowan is quoted in the responses published following the forum.
The responses also point out how "University Hospital Limerick (UHL) continues to experience extremely high levels of attendances at the Emergency Department (ED)".
"The latest available data shows that up to March 3 2024, ED presentations at UHL increased by 18% on last year and emergency admissions by 12%," documentation from the meeting states.
"This trend is more pronounced still among the over-75s with ED presentations having increased by 23% and emergency admissions by 18%."