Election 2024: Taoiseach says reorganisation of Midwest hospital A&Es was 'a hames'
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The Taoiseach has said that the re-organisation of emergency medicine in the mid-west was "a hames".
Health watchdog Hiqa is leading a review into the case for a second emergency department to support University Hospital Limerick, which is regularly the most overcrowded hospital in the country.
The ED at the Limerick hospital is the only one in the region, with those in the likes of Nenagh and Ennis closed.
UHL has consistently had among the worst overcrowding in the country for a number of years. On Friday along it had 96 patients on trolleys according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
Speaking in Ennis on Friday, Simon Harris said that the plan had been "a hames" and said that he believes that a second emergency department for the region will be recommended. However, he stopped short of guaranteeing such a move.
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"What I do believe is that the reconfiguration in the Midwest many years ago was a complete and utter hames, and that the people in the Midwest have been living with that since then.
"We can be critical or complimentary of different people's times in office, but we've all worked to try and expand capacity in the Midwest ever since then.
"I can point to projects that I sanctioned when I was health minister in UHL to put more beds in, but I've got to be very honest with people in Clare.
"I'm not convinced that one emergency department is the answer for the Midwest, but we do have to do it in accordance Hiqa because the safety of people in Clare, their medical safety, the safety of their family, is absolutely paramount."
Mr Harris said the reorganisation was "an example of how not to do a reconfiguration".
While Mr Harris rejected that that the government had "dragged its feet" on the issue, he accepted that waiting for the Hiqa report until the middle of next year is too long. To that end, he said, an interim report will be prepared for January.
"I think that is really important, because I do think we need to, at least at that stage, have a road map, an indication as to where we're going to go. More detail can come in the months ahead," he added.
Mr Harris said he "personally believes" that a second ED is needed in the mid-west, but said that he is not a clinician and that any politician who promised a new facility in short order is "not telling the truth".
He said he "has to be careful" on guaranteeing the decision. He said that politicians should follow the advice of experts.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach is expected to announce proposals on Saturday which will see the heating bills of tens of thousands of pensioners cut by €420 per year.
Fine Gael will commit to lowering the eligibility for the Household Benefits Package, which reduces monthly electricity and gas bills by €35 and also includes a free TV licence, from 70 to 66.
The proposal is part of what sources have described as “our older persons guarantee” and will be a cornerstone of Fine Gael’s manifesto, which will be unveiled by Taoiseach Simon Harris in Tipperary on Sunday.
In a further boost to pensioners, the Taoiseach will announce his intention to progressively increase the Living Alone Allowance which is currently paid at €22 per week.
It is understood that the Fine Gael manifesto will also commit to increasing the weekly pension to at least €350 over the term of the next government, ensuring financial security for seniors.