Today\u2019s official opening of a new 96-bed block at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), while welcome, does not negate the need for a new Model 3 hospital in the Mid-West region, according to Social Democrats TD P\u00e1draig Rice.<\/p>\n
Deputy Rice, who is the party\u2019s spokesperson on health, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI was honoured to attend the opening of this much-needed block in UHL this morning. This a very welcome addition to the country\u2019s most overcrowded hospital, which is in desperate need of increased capacity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile these extra beds will help reduce overcrowding and improve patient safety, it only scratches the surface of what is needed in the Mid-West region.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the best efforts of staff, the ongoing shortage of beds continues to compromise patient care and safety at UHL.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew ESRI data shows that by 2040, the region will need between 299 (36 per cent increase) and 593 (71 per cent increase) extra beds.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecent investment in UHL has delivered 128 additional inpatient beds since last December, with a further 96 beds in planning.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording to HIQA, these 224 beds would put UHL on par with the current bed numbers in other Model 4 hospitals, relative to demand.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the earliest the next 96 beds are expected to be delivered is 2029, by which time demand will have increased further.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreater urgency and real political will is required to cope with these challenges, otherwise the Mid-West will be playing catch up for years to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why, along with increasing capacity at UHL, the Minister for Health must get ahead of this entirely predictable problem and commit to a Model 3 hospital for the Mid-West.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people of this region have waited far too long already. Planning for a new hospital should begin now, before more years pass and further lives are lost.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the projections and we know which way the demographics are headed, so there is simply no excuse for dithering.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo not move forward with a Model 3 hospital would be to abandon the region, and its people.\u201d<\/p>\n
October 13, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today\u2019s official opening of a new 96-bed block at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), while welcome, does not negate the need for a new Model 3 hospital in the Mid-West region, according to Social Democrats TD P\u00e1draig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party\u2019s spokesperson on health, said: \u201cI was honoured to attend the opening of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11561,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,642,7,774],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-padraig-rice","category-press-release","category-uhl"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n