O'Meara reacts to HIQA review on emergency healthcare services in HSE Mid-West Region

Fianna Fáil TD for North Tipperary and Northwest Kilkenny, Ryan O’Meara welcomes the long-awaited HIQA review on urgent and emergency healthcare services in the HSE Mid-West Region.

”This morning, I attended a briefing with HIQA in relation to the advice that they have presented to the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to inform decision-making around the design and delivery of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the Midwest region. I welcome that this report has finally been published", he told the Tribune.

“In 2024, HIQA was requested to conduct an independent review into the HSE Mid-West region, due to concerns for patient’s safety in the region. A wide consultation process took place with 17 in-person meetings with stakeholders, over 1,100 public consultations received, and an expert advisory group was established. The key findings out of this review were presented to members of the Oireachtas today.

"It was found that there are not enough inpatient beds in HSE Mid-West which are capable of treating the sickest patients who present for urgent or emergency care. HIQA have recommended immediate action and investment to address current risks to patient safety, in the shortest timeframe and safest possible way. I fully support this finding and I am raising it with senior members of Government at the moment.

“HIQA also presented three possible solutions for both the short and long-term, in tackling healthcare issues in the Midwest region. Option A is to expand capacity at University Hospital Limerick on the Dooradoyle site. Option B is to extend the UHL campus to comprise a new second site in close proximity under a shared governance and resourcing model. Option C is to develop a Model 3 hospital in the Midwest region providing a second emergency department for the region.

“As part of the review the ESRI also undertook a study to determine the increased demand in healthcare services up to 2040. As part of that the ESRI determined that anywhere between 299 and 593 extra bed spaces would be needed in the Mid-West Region up to 2040.

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“In the short term, I will be calling for increased and rapid investment to deliver the beds that we need on top of the new 96 bed block that is due to be opened in UHL this year. I will also be addressing the three options with the Minister for Health and with an Taoiseach, with the view of determining which of the three options will best meet the long-term needs of the constituents that I represent.

"Considering that anywhere between 299 and 593 new beds are needed in our region between now and 2040, it appears to me that option C; the development of a Model 3 hospital in the HSE Mid-West region, is the best option for meeting that demand,” Deputy O'Meara said.