Tipperary councillor told hospital's Local Injury Clinic was reduced due to staff issues

There have been no closures at Nenagh Hospital’s Local Injury Unit this year, Cllr Seamus Morris was told in a written response to a question he put before the June meeting of the Health Forum West.

However, he was informed that, on three days - May 30, June 1 and June 2 - the unit operated at reduced capacity due to unplanned staffing deficits.

During this time, the unit did not close early, but capacity to see new patients was reduced.

All patients continued to be triaged and referred elsewhere as appropriate or asked to return to Nenagh Injury Unit the following day, said Prof Colette Cowan, CEO of University Hospital Limerick Group.

In asking for the question, Cllr Morris had stated that he had heard testimonies from patients of the unit closing at 3pm, and people having to leave before its scheduled 8pm closure.

In response, he was told that the unit was open every day for minor injuries in adults and children aged five and upwards from 8am- 8pm.

Patients benefit from the expertise and care of a consultant-led team of doctors, Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners (RANPs), nurses, and other healthcare professionals who were highly experienced in the treatment of injuries that may not be life-threatening, but which, nonetheless, require medical attention and treatment.

Prof Cowan also informed Cllr Morris that the unit had its busiest year to date in 2022 with a total of 10,216 patients attending, a 30% increase on 2021.

In addition, there had been a 7% increase in the total Injury Unit presentations across the group in the first four months of this year in comparison to 2022.