McGreehan says increased and improved healthcare services needed in Louth

Louth Fianna Fáil general election candidate, Senator Erin McGreehan, has said that health services in Louth are inadequate and not meeting the needs of the people. She has said more investment in health services is needed to tackle the increased demand on local services due to increases in population. 

In a statement today Senator McGreehan said that while some progress has been made, there are still often poor conditions for patients and long wait times at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. "It is time now that we take a stand in relation to Dundalk County Hospital and look at how we can increase services there to ensure that there are more patients are able to be seen in Dundalk. Our Ladies of Lourdes Drogheda is often overrun and put in to surge capacity. This has to end.

"The next Government must ensure that Drogheda Hospital is given extra capacity in both mental health services and A&E Services. Louth County Hospital in Dundalk must have extra resources and staff and provision."

She said there must be a significant further expansion in hospital beds, consultants and GPs in Louth to cope with demand. Senator McGreehan said: "Much progress has been made in Health since Fianna Fail entered government. 

"The recent announcement of new funding for a new Trauma Unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital as part of the Central Trauma Unit was particularly welcome, as it will allow trauma patients with less severe injuries to be treated locally and to receive optimal trauma care within a coordinated and integrated system." 

Funding was allocated under Budget 2025 for the recruitment of staff for a new Trauma Unit at OLOL which will allow patients with less severe injuries to be treated locally and to receive optimal trauma care within a coordinated and integrated system.

McGreehan said: "I welcome the commitment in Fianna Fail's manifesto to develop high-quality, accessible health services for all, as it is hugely important for the people of Louth. 

"If returned to government, Fianna Fáil have committed to opening 4,000 more hospital beds and a further 100 ICU beds, making sure that patients have faster access to care. 

"A central pillar of my campaign is advocating for improved and increased health services in Louth and I have consistently called for this in the Seanad. If elected as a TD, I will be a relentless voice for increased resources for healthcare in Louth and call for our resources to be enhanced to ensure our healthcare facilities can keep in line with population growth."