HSE move to open Nenagh Hospital unit to ease overcrowding in Limerick is welcomed

The Sinn Féin local representative for Nenagh Damian O'Donoghue, has said that the move by the HSE to look at opening Nenagh Hospital's Medical assessment Unit in line with the one in Ennis, was a "small step in the right direction".

The HSE this week confirmed to Oireachtas members that it was looking at such a move in an effort to ease overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick.

"For years I have been making he case for Nenagh Hospital to play more of a role in the health care of the people of North Tipperary," he said.

Mr O'Donoghue, who ran for election in the last local elections in 2019, said that when this scheme was rolled out it would enable some people to attend their local hospital in Nenagh and not get caught up in the overcrowding in Limerick.

“It is a welcome initiative and the sooner it begins the better. The people of north Tipperary have been badly let down since the closure of the Emergency Department in Nenagh Hospital in 2009. It's about time that steps were being taken to rectify this," he said.

The announcement has been welcomed by Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne.

“This is a welcome commitment and is long overdue. I was informed that the decision, which is yet to be taken, will be guided by a review of the first week of the Ennis scheme," said Deputy Browne, who was part of a briefing given to Oireachtas members by the HSE.

However, Deputy Browne said that clarity was needed on the resources that will be provided to ensure that that people of north Tipperary and elsewhere were able to be treated appropriately, and that the staff will be given the supports and resources needed.

"We need clarity on the resources that will be provided to ensure that that people of north Tipperary and elsewhere are able to be treated appropriately, and that the staff will be given the supports and resources needed," he said.