Sheehan demands urgent action on UHL crisis
Sheehan demands urgent action on UHL crisis - The Labour Party
- 147 patients left on trolley in UHL
Labour’s Conor Sheehan TD in Limerick has slammed Government inaction on the ongoing trolley crisis, following the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) report today revealing that 147 people are on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick (UHL). With the winter and flu season fast approaching, Deputy Sheehan demanded to know: where is the Government’s plan to tackle this crisis?
Deputy Sheehan said:
“Every person in Ireland deserves access to safe and timely healthcare, but the reality is far from that. The chronic overcrowding in UHL emergency departments shows no sign of easing. The strain this places on staff, patients, and families is intolerable, and they are crying out for solutions.
“Labour has repeatedly advocated for a bespoke plan to address the crisis in UHL, yet the situation continues to deteriorate. The mismanagement of this crisis has reached a breaking point, and it is the patients and healthcare workers who are paying the price.
“Ireland’s health infrastructure is simply unable to meet the demands placed on it. We see this every day in our overcrowded emergency departments, understaffed wards, and lengthy waiting lists. For patients in the Midwest, there is no release valve—University Hospital Limerick is overwhelmed, and the Government’s failure to provide targeted solutions is unacceptable.
“This crisis demands urgent political leadership. The safety and health of patients and staff must be prioritised, and immediate steps must be taken to alleviate overcrowding and ensure adequate staffing levels. The people of Limerick and the wider Midwest cannot wait any longer. This situation cannot continue. Change is needed, and it is needed now.”