I welcome the statement by the Minister that Government support has been secured to progress all options outlined in the HIQA report.
It is critical to maintain momentum on the delivery of additional bed capacity at University Hospital Limerick, alongside appropriate service reconfiguration to free up acute capacity on the existing site.
I am particularly heartened by the commitment to work in tandem on securing a new site for additional hospital facilities with immediate effect. I note the intent to return to Cabinet in the New Year with further detail, and I look forward to meaningful consultation with the Minister and officials before any decisions are finalised. The Minister will be aware that I have written outlining the importance of full engagement in this process, including the need to clearly understand why some options are not being considered. There is no reason, however, why these necessary discussions on specific future operations should delay progress on securing suitable lands in the first instance.
Even prior to the publication of the HIQA report, and as part of ongoing discussions on the future planning of Limerick in light of current demand and projected population growth across the Mid-West, officials in Limerick City and County Council had engaged with the HSE on potential locations within Limerick that could accommodate additional hospital infrastructure. I therefore welcome the Minister’s decision to advance this work and the direction given to the HSE to begin the process of securing an appropriate site. In the interests of commercial sensitivity, I do not propose to comment on specific locations at this time, other than to reaffirm that Limerick City and County Council stands ready to do whatever is required to secure the best possible outcome for the people of Limerick and the wider Mid-West.
In the interim, I want though to acknowledge the ongoing dedication of health workers at University Hospital Limerick and officials within the HSE for their continued professionalism during this period of transition as work progresses toward delivering the level of public health services required for Limerick and the broader region.
Given the urgency of addressing public health capacity in Limerick, I hope to shortly see clarity on indicative timelines for these next steps so that local authorities and communities can plan accordingly.
