Review Into Emergency Department For Mid-West Must Urgently Proceed.

Deputy Michael McNamara, (Independent Clare TD and candidate for Ireland South in the upcoming European Elections), has stated that a review into a second Emergency Department for the Mid-West region must now proceed without any further delay.

The announcement today by Minister for Health, Mr Stephen Donnelly, of a review of the case for a second Emergency Department for the Mid-West Region, (Latter which includes the area of north Co. Tipperary), must not only proceed without delay, but its conclusions must be followed up on speedily, according to the Independent Co. Clare Deputy.

Deputy McNamara was reacting to the news today that HIQA will lead the review into urgent and emergency care capacity in the region to determine whether a second Emergency Department (ED) is required, in light of a big increase in the population in recent years and ongoing pressures at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

“This will be welcome news for everybody in the Mid-West, where a lot of people are afraid to avail of an essential government service at UHL because of the continuous disaster stories emanating from there,” he said.

Deputy McNamara added, “The staff are under tremendous pressure, and I hope this review is quick and its conclusions are followed up speedily. We have a tendency in Ireland to announce reviews to get out of political pressure. I sincerely hope this not the case here,” he concluded.