HOSPITAL consultants are warning of a fresh crisis looming at University Hospital Limerick as stark figures show that more than 3,500 appointments and operations were cancelled at the UL Hospitals Group hospitals over two months.
In January, 2,095 hospital appointments and operations were cancelled across the UL Hospitals Group, which is made up of six hospital sites in the Mid West.
A further 1,435 cancellations were recorded in December, bringing the total to 3,530 appointments or operations being axed in two months, 2,127 at UHL itself.
The numbers, gathered as a result of parliamentary questions, mean that “today’s cancellation is tomorrow’s crisis,” according to the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA).
Limerick-based consultant Dr Colin Peirce said his operating list of 10 patients planned for last Tuesday at Nenagh Hospital were cancelled only the day before.
“This unfortunately has become a problem that is not unique to the winter months. We are now essentially in April and have ongoing cancellations,” he told the Irish Examiner.
It’s a very dangerous cycle that we are in here,” he said.
Dr Peirce said that this is a consequence of general staff shortages.
It’s estimated by consultants estimate an additional 100 beds and support staff are needed as an immediate priority, with at least 400 extra inpatient and day-case beds over a number of years.
Dr Pierce estimates that up to 900 surgeries were cancelled this year based on data shared with staff internally this month.
A UHL spokesman said the hospital continues to see record numbers of patients.
Between March 1 and 27, the emergency department saw a daily average of 224 patients. The highest was 278, one of four days when the figure reached over 270.
