50 new beds to be opened in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in 2018 

THE announcement of 50 new beds to be opened in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda in 2018 has been welcomed by Louth Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd.

Louth TD Fergus O'Dowd said he was delighted to welcome Minister for Health, Simon Harris, to Drogheda where the Minister made the announcement yesterday (Monday, November 20).

Deputy O’Dowd said: “Increased funding will see an increase in capacity and services provided in Our Lady of Lourdes. I was delighted the Minister confirmed a new Emergency Department will open here next May.

“An increase of over 50 beds will substantially increase bed capacity here in the North-East. This investment will help ease pressure on hospital services throughout the winter, providing a clinically safe and dignified space for patients and their families.

“Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital has seen a decrease of almost 50% in the number of patients waiting on trolleys this year as compared to the same period last year.

“The health budget was chopped by €1.35bn under Fianna Fáil in just 2 years (2009 to 2011), but was protected under the 3 subsequent budgets introduced by Fine Gael (2011-2014), before Budget 2018 delivered the highest ever health budget of over €15 billion,” the Fine Gael TD said.