Calls for Louth County Hospital to be utlised to tackle A & E pressure

Fianna Fáil TD, Erin McGreehan has called on the Minister for Health for an update on the waiting list action plan, as Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital faces surge capacity.

Deputy McGreehan raised this issue with the Minister Dáil Éireann last Friday, saying patients in County Louth need to be supported.

“I sought an update in the Dáil on the waiting list action plan. The strategy that is in place has helped waiting times come down but not to the level that is needed.

“This is especially being felt in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where the A&E department is dealing with surge capacity. This is leading to pressures on the system and cancellation of appointments for patients.

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“I asked the Minster in the Dáil yesterday if we could utilise the resources and capacity in Louth County Hospital in Dundalk to help alleviate the pressures on Drogheda,” she said.

In response to Deputy McGreehan, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill said that she is bringing the second iteration of the waiting list action plan to Cabinet this week, something that Deputy McGreehan welcomes.

“I welcome the Minister’s response given the rapid need to decrease waiting times for patients. Having this brought to Cabinet will hopefully then lead to the reduction of time patients need to wait for care.

“Our healthcare workers do trojan work right across my constituency and right across this country. I salute their professionalism and commitment to go above and beyond for their patients, but we must support them too.

“Improving the health services in Louth is of upmost importance to me, and I will continue to work with the Minister for Health to ensure that we can come to a solution for the people of Louth,” McGreehan concluded.