156 new beds for Midwest hospitals by 2028 with 48 earmarked for Ennis
– 156 new beds will be put in place across three hospitals from 2025-28
– Additional 42 in St John’s in Limerick between 2029-31
Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has welcomed confirmation that an additional 156 acute in-patient beds will be in place in Midwest hospitals by 2028 – crucially, with 48 of those situated in Ennis General Hospital.
University Hospital Limerick is set to receive an additional 84 beds in this timeframe, with 24 going to Nenagh Hospital – while further down the line, 42 beds are ringfenced for St John’s Hospital in Limerick between 2029 and 2031.
“This is hugely welcome news – particularly the fact that we now have confirmation that 48 of these beds will be put in place in Ennis General,” said Deputy Crowe.
“Ennis has a crucial role to play in helping to alleviate overcrowding in UHL – a point I have vociferously made to my colleagues, including Minister Stephen Donnelly, and the only way it can do this is by having additional capacity and an expanded scope of services.
“Today’s announcement follows two recent meetings held between myself, Friends of Ennis General Hospital and Minister Donnelly where we highlighted these very needs to him.
“I have long been outspoken in my belief that the political decision to downgrade the A&E in Ennis back in 2009, leaving only one Model 3 hospital in the Midwest, was a retrograde step that never resulted in us getting this promised ‘centre of excellence’.
“I hope that we continue to see capacity increased at our hospitals so that we can ensure that some reparations are made to help with the situation we currently find ourselves in.
“Today’s announcement isn’t happening overnight – the 156 beds committed by 2028 will start to be rolled out by March of next year, while the 42 for St John’s will commence in 2029 and be in place by 2031 – but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
“I’ll be pushing the Health Minister to prioritise these beds over the ones promised to other CHOs in the country, given the specific difficulties faced in our region.”
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