News that the HSE has acquired a 44-acre site in Raheen, Co Limerick, for €14 million for the development of a new hospital campus aimed at easing pressure on University Hospital Limerick, has been warmly welcomed in North Tipperary.
The newly purchased site at Raheen, is located about 2km from the existing UHL site in Dooradoyle and about 30 minutes travelling time from both Ennis, Co. Clare and Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, thus making it accessible for patients across the much neglected Mid-West health region.
Health Minister Ms Jennifer Carroll MacNeill confirmed the purchase today, Tuesday March 10th, describing the location as strategically important for the wider Mid-West.
The new campus follows one of the recommendations made by HIQA in its review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in HSE Mid West. HIQA found that the region’s main problem is a lack of inpatient bed capacity for seriously ill patients and recommended a mix of measures, including expanding UHL, developing a second site nearby, and planning for a new Model 3 hospital with a second emergency department.
University Hospital Limerick currently operates the only 24-hour emergency department for Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary, while also taking patients from parts of North Cork and North Kerry. It has regularly recorded the highest number of patients waiting on trolleys in the State.
Ms Sandra Broderick, Regional Executive Officer for HSE Mid-West, said the acquisition marked an important step for the region’s healthcare system and for the 10,000 staff working across services in the area. She said the move must help ensure that future patients do not face the experience of receiving care on a trolley.
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