Sinn Féin Leader Says Coalition's Approach To Midwest Healthcare Lacks Common Sense

2,285 admitted patients were left waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick in total this month, which is 1,180 more people on trolleys than the next busiest facility; Cork University Hospital.

The INMO says that despite an expert team being in the Dooradoyle facility for the month of May, there was only six days when there was less than one hundred people on trolleys at UHL.

This week, the Government has announced that by 2028 an additional 84 acute inpatient beds will be delivered at UHL, an additional 48 will come on stream at Ennis General, and 24 beds will go to Nenagh Community Hospital.

Speaking to Clare FM's Morning Focus though, the Health Minister admits increased capacity is needed immediately to combat overcrowding in the region, but insists the delivery of beds takes sufficient time.

Stephen Donnelly says that capacity alone won't solve the problem and that patient care reforms at UHL need to come in line with national trends.

The leader of the main opposition party, meanwhile, claims while it's committed to providing the public healthcare services in Clare, the Government will not.

Under Sinn Féin's alternative plan, launched this month, the party is promising an elective only hospital for the region and making Ennis General a 24/7 Urgent Care Centre.

In February, 758 children were waiting to undergo dental procedures in the MidWest and Sinn Féin's is pledging to increase dental training places nationwide by 32%.

Speaking during a visit to Clare, Sinn Féin Leader Deputy Mary-Lou McDonald says the coalitions approach lacks all common sense.